Novel formulations of tumour-associated peptides binding to human leukocyte antigen (hla) class i or class ii molecules for vaccines

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel formulations of tumour-associated peptides binding to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I or II molecules as vaccines for the use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to formulations for the immunotherapy of cancer, in particular renal and brain cancer, in particular glioma, especially glioblastoma cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumour immune responses.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/428,893, filed on Apr. 23, 2009, which claims priority to U.S.provisional application 61/047,669, filed on Apr. 24, 2008, and EPapplication 08008292.8, filed on Apr. 30, 2008, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel formulations of tumour-associatedpeptides binding to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I or IImolecules as vaccines for the use in immunotherapeutic methods. Inparticular, the present invention relates to formulations for theimmunotherapy of cancer, in particular renal and glioblastoma cancer.The present invention furthermore relates to vaccine compositions foreliciting anti-tumour immune responses.

For the purposes of the present invention, all references as citedherein are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A composition for injection consisting of peptides in the form ofpowder, and a diluent consisting of sodium hydrogen carbonate isdisclosed in WO 2007/028573 for the vaccination of renal cell carcinoma.However, this formulation has various disadvantages. The maindisadvantage is the poor solubility rendering its application verydifficult during any application such as in clinical use.

To dissolve the powder in the composition, the vial containing thepeptides to be dissolved and the diluent have to be shaken vigorouslyfor three minutes, then submitted to ultrasound homogenation for oneminute, and again to be shaken for one minute. This treatment cannot beapplied by all physicians in their practices, as they often lack theequipment as required, and the archived mixture thus might not behomogeneous as required for an effective use. An additional problem withthe composition relates to the fact that, given the speed of dissolutionof the active ingredients using sodium hydrogen carbonate in the givenconcentrations, the resulting solution can only be used for about 30minutes.

Further, the characteristics of the above formulation change over time,which renders a safe use nearly impossible. After storage of thedisclosed formulation for 12 months using different temperatures rangingfrom −20° C. to +25° C., no clear solution could be produced, even afterusing an ultrasound homogenator for several minutes.

Thus, there remains a need for novel peptide formulations with enhancedsolubility and enhanced moistening of the lyophilisate, in order toprovide a safe an effective preparation, in particular in case of ananti-cancer vaccine. The present invention fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one preferred aspect thereof providespharmaceutical compositions comprising between 2 and 18, preferably lessthan 15, more preferred less than 13, even more preferred 2 to 12peptides and even more preferred 3 to 12 tumor associated peptides;wherein each peptide has a length of between 8 and 22 amino acids,preferably between 9 and 16 amino acids; wherein said peptides show asolubility in 90% acetic acid of at least 2.7 mg/mL; mannitol andpoloxamer 188, wherein the ratio by weight of said peptide(s) tomannitol to poloxamer 188 is in the range including and between 1:5:1.5to 1:8:2.2; or mannitol and TWEEN 80®, wherein the ratio by weight ofpeptides to mannitol to TWEEN 80® is in the range including and between1:2:1.5 to 1:8:2.2.

In another preferred aspect thereof, the present invention provides apharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, comprising at least twopeptides, wherein said peptides comprise an amino acid sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ IDNO: 12 to SEQ ID NO: 23; provided that the composition comprises atleast one peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 12 orSEQ ID NO: 13 or a variant or salt thereof; and further comprisingmannitol and poloxamer 188, wherein the ratio by weight of peptides tomannitol to poloxamer 188 is in the range including and between 1:5:1.5to 1:8:2.2.

In yet another preferred aspect thereof, the present invention providesa pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, comprising at leasttwo peptides, wherein said peptides comprise an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 10, orSEQ ID NO: 12 to SEQ ID NO: 23; provided that the composition comprisesat least one peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO:12 or SEQ ID NO: 13 or a variant or salt thereof; and further comprisingmannitol and TWEEN 80®, wherein the ratio by weight of peptides tomannitol to TWEEN 80® is in the range including and between 1:2:1.5 to1:8:2.2.

Advantageously, the formulation according to the invention is suitablefor stable formulations containing very hydrophobic peptides (forexample IMA-CHI-001; SEQ ID NO: 23). This particular peptide, forexample, is very insoluble in water and only slightly soluble in 90%acetic acid (solubility about 2.9 mg/mL). Surprisingly, it is nowpossible to formulate the peptide according to SEQ ID NO: 23 with anyother peptide in another formulation that might be used for theapplication to a living being.

Therefore the application at hand discloses a formulation forformulating between 2 and 18 peptides, preferably less than 15, morepreferred less than 13, even more preferred 2 to 12 peptides and evenmore preferred 3 to 12 peptides, with a peptide length between 8 and 22amino acids, preferably between 9 and 16 amino acids, provided that thepeptides show at least a solubility in 90% acetic acid of 2.7 mg/mL,preferably 2.9 mg/mL, and further comprising mannitol and poloxamer 188,wherein the ratio by weight of peptides to mannitol to poloxamer 188 isin the range including and between 1:5:1.5 to 1:8:2.2.

In a preferred embodiment of the pharmaceutical composition according tothe present invention, the ratio by weight of peptides to mannitol topoloxamer 188 is in the range including and between 1:0:2 to 1:0:2.2.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides apharmaceutical composition as above, comprising at least two peptideswherein, said peptides comprise an amino acid selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO: 12 to SEQ ID NO: 23; provided that thecomposition comprises at least one peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 12 orSEQ ID NO: 13 or a variant thereof; and further comprising mannitol andTWEEN 80®, wherein the preferred ratio by weight of peptides to mannitolto Tween 80® is in the range including and between 1:5:0.5 to 1:5:2.

Preferably the peptides of the present invention have an overall lengthof between 9 and 16 amino acids. The peptides may include non-peptidebonds.

In other preferred embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprisepeptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 and further comprise at least one peptideconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:3 to SEQ ID NO: 10.

In certain preferred embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition mayfurther comprise a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 11, provided that said peptide is not the respectivefull-length tumour-associated polypeptide. In other embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition may further comprise a peptide that consistsof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11.

In other preferred embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprisepeptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:12 and/or SEQ ID NO: 13 and further comprise at least one peptideconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:14 to SEQ ID NO: 23. In certain preferred embodiments, thispharmaceutical composition may further comprise a peptide comprising theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11, provided that saidpeptide is not the respective full-length tumour-associated polypeptide.In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may furthercomprise a peptide that consists of the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 11.

In certain embodiments, the peptides present in the composition areselected from tissue-, cancer, and/or patient-specific peptides.

In further preferred embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition mayfurther comprise at least one suitable adjuvant. Adjuvants aresubstances that non-specifically enhance or potentiate the immuneresponse (e.g., immune responses mediated by CTLs and helper-T (T_(H))cells to an antigen, and would thus be considered useful in themedicament of the present invention. Suitable adjuvants include, but arenot limited to, 1018 ISS, aluminum salts, AMPLIVAX®, AS15, BCG,CP-870,893, CpG7909, CyaA, dSLIM, flagellin or TLR5 ligands derived fromflagellin, FLT3 ligand, GM-CSF, IC30, IC31, Imiquimod (ALDARA),resimiquimod, ImuFact IMP321, Interleukins as IL-2, IL-13, IL-21,Interferon-alpha or -beta, or pegylated derivatives thereof, IS Patch,ISS, ISCOMATRIX®, ISCOMs, JUVIMMUNE®, LipoVac, MALP2, MF59,monophosphoryl lipid A, MONTANIDE® IMS 1312, MONTANIDE® ISA 206,MONTANIDE® ISA 50V, MONTANIDE® ISA-51, water-in-oil and oil-in-wateremulsions, OK-432, OM-174, OM-197-MP-EC, ONTAK®, OspA, PEPTEL® vectorsystem, PLG and dextran microparticles, resiquimod, SRL172, Virosomesand other Virus-like particles, YF-17D, VEGF trap, R848, beta-glucan,Pam3Cys, Aquila's QS21 STIMULON®, which is derived from saponin,mycobacterial extracts and synthetic bacterial cell wall mimics, andother proprietary adjuvants such as Ribi's DETOXT™, QUIL™, OR SUPERFOS™.Adjuvants such as Freund's or GM-CSF are preferred. Severalimmunological adjuvants (e.g., MF59) specific for dendritic cells andtheir preparation have been described previously (Dupuis M et al 1998;Allison 1998). Also cytokines may be used. Several cytokines have beendirectly linked to influencing dendritic cell migration to lymphoidtissues (e.g., TNF-α), accelerating the maturation of dendritic cellsinto efficient antigen-presenting cells for T-lymphocytes (e.g., GM-CSF,IL-1 and IL-4) (U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,589, specifically incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety) and acting aso immunoadjuvants(e.g., IL-12, IL-15, IL-23, IL-7, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta) (Gabrilovich etal 1996).

CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides have also been reported toenhance the effects of adjuvants in a vaccine setting. Without beingbound by theory, CpG oligonucleotides act by activating the innate(non-adaptive) immune system via Toll-like receptors (TLR), mainly TLR9.CpG triggered TLR9 activation enhances antigen-specific humoral andcellular responses to a wide variety of antigens, including peptide orprotein antigens, live or killed viruses, dendritic cell vaccines,autologous cellular vaccines and polysaccharide conjugates in bothprophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. More importantly it enhancesdendritic cell maturation and differentiation, resulting in enhancedactivation of T_(H1) cells and strong cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)generation, even in the absence of CD4 T cell help. The T_(H1) biasinduced by TLR9 stimulation is maintained even in the presence ofvaccine adjuvants such as alum or incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA)that normally promote a T_(H2) bias. CpG oligonucleotides show evengreater adjuvant activity when formulated or co-administered with otheradjuvants or in formulations such as microparticles, nanoparticles,lipid emulsions or similar formulations, which are especially necessaryfor inducing a strong response when the antigen is relatively weak. Theyalso accelerate the immune response and enable the antigen doses to bereduced by approximately two orders of magnitude, with comparableantibody responses to the full-dose vaccine without CpG in someexperiments (Krieg et al 2006). U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,705 B1 describes thecombined use of CpG oligonucleotides, non-nucleic acid adjuvants and anantigen to induce an antigen-specific immune response. A CpG TLR9antagonist is dSLIM (double Stem Loop Immunomodulator) by MOLOGEN®(Berlin, Germany) which is a preferred component of the pharmaceuticalcomposition of the present invention. Other TLR binding molecules suchas RNA binding TLR 7, TLR 8 and/or TLR 9 may also be used.

Other examples for useful adjuvants include, but are not limited tochemically modified CpGs (e.g. CpR, Idera), dsRNA analogues such asPoly(I:C) and AMPLIGEN®, non-CpG bacterial DNA or RNA as well asimmunoactive small molecules and antibodies such as cyclophosphamide,sunitinib, Bevacizumab, CELEBREX®, NCX-4016, sildenafil, tadalafil,vardenafil, sorafenib, temozolomide, temsirolimus, XL-999, CP-547632,pazopanib, VEGF Trap, ZD2171, AZD2171, anti-CTLA4 and SC58175, which mayact therapeutically and/or as an adjuvant. The amounts andconcentrations of adjuvants and additives useful in the context of thepresent invention can readily be determined by the skilled artisanwithout undue experimentation. Preferred adjuvants are dSLIM,interferon-alpha, -beta, CpG7909, IC31, imiquimod, resiquimod, PEVITER®,RNA, tadalafil, temozolomide, and JUVIMMUNE®.

Preferred adjuvants are dSLIM, BCG, OK432, imiquimod, resiquimod, GMCSF,interferon-alpha, PEVITER® and JUVIMMUNE® or combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment the pharmaceutical composition according tothe invention the adjuvant is selected from the group consisting ofcolony-stimulating factors, such as Granulocyte Macrophage ColonyStimulating Factor (GM-CSF, sargramostim), imiquimod, resiquimod, andinterferon-alpha.

In a preferred embodiment the pharmaceutical composition according tothe invention the adjuvant is selected from the group consisting ofcolony-stimulating factors, such as Granulocyte Macrophage ColonyStimulating Factor (GM-CSF, sargramostim), immiquimod and resiquimod.

In a preferred embodiment of the pharmaceutical composition according tothe invention, the adjuvant is imiquimod or resimiquimod.

This composition can be used for parenteral administration, such assubcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular or oral administration. Thepeptides can also be administered together with immune stimulatingsubstances, such as cytokines.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be used as ananti-cancer vaccine.

The present invention also encompasses a kit comprising at least one ofthe above peptides, and/or the above pharmaceutical composition, eitherpre-prepared or in separate containers or vials for on-site admixture.

Preferred is a kit comprising: (a) a container containing apharmaceutical composition according to the invention, in solution or inlyophilized form; (b) optionally, a second container containing adiluent or reconstituting solution for said lyophilized formulationand/or at least one adjuvant; and (c) optionally, instructions for (i)use of the solution, or (ii) reconstitution, and/or use of saidlyophilized formulation.

Further preferred is a kit according to the invention, furthercomprising one or more of (i) a buffer, (ii) a diluent, (iii) a filter,(iv) a needle, and (v) a syringe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Analytical HPLC Chromatogram of peptides (SEQ ID NO: 1-11)containing beta-naphthylalanine (NAL) as internal standard.

FIG. 2: Stability of formulation 1 (control) without any excipients at+25° C.

FIG. 3: Stability of formulation 2 according to the invention withmannitol and LUTROL F68® (Poloxamer 188) at +25° C.

FIG. 4: Stability of formulation 3 according to the invention withmannitol and TWEEN 80® at +25° C.

FIG. 5: Stability of formulation 4 according to the invention withmannitol and TWEEN 80® at +25° C.

FIG. 6: Stability of formulation 1 (control) without any excipients at+40° C.

FIG. 7: Stability of formulation 2 according to the invention withmannitol and LUTROL F68® (Poloxamer 188) at +40° C.

FIG. 8: Stability of formulation 3 according to the invention withmannitol and TWEEN 80® at +40° C.

FIG. 9: Stability of formulation 4 according to the invention withmannitol and TWEEN 80® at +40° C.

FIG. 10: Effects of the excipients Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68® availablefrom BASF Ludwigshafen, Germany) and mannitol on CD8+ T cell priming invivo. Mice were sacrificed 9 days after immunization, spleen cells werecollected, stained with tetramer and analyzed by flow cytometry.Percentage of tetramer positive cells among all CD8+ T cells are shownwith error bars showing the standard deviation of means. All threepeptide-immunized groups are significantly different from the negativecontrols as analyzed by two-tailed, unpaired student's T-test (p<0.05).The groups with and without Poloxamer (LUTROL F68®)/mannitol do notdiffer significantly (p=0.49).

FIG. 11: Manufacturing process described in example 2.

FIG. 12: Analytical HPLC Chromatogram of peptides (SEQ ID NO: 11-23)containing beta-naphthylalanine (NAL) as internal standard.

FIG. 13: Stability “In use” of peptides of SEQ ID NO: 11 to 23 withMannitol/LUTROL F68®.

FIG. 14: Stability “In use” of peptides of SEQ ID NO: 11 to 23 with noexcipients.

FIG. 15: Stability of peptides of SEQ ID NO: 11 to 22 withMannitol/LUTROL F68® at +25° C.

FIG. 16: Stability of peptides of SEQ ID NO: 11 to 22 withMannitol/LUTROL F68® at +5° C.

FIG. 17: Stability of peptides of SEQ ID NO: 11 to 22 withMannitol/LUTROL F68® at −20° C.

The sequence listing shows peptides (SEQ ID NO: 1 to 23) that are usedin formulations according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions useful as avaccine, wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises varioustumour-associated peptides (TUMAPs) in addition to either a mixture ofmannitol and TWEEN 80®, or a mixture of mannitol and poloxamer 188,which mixtures provide stability and solubility for said composition.

“Pharmaceutical composition” as used herein preferably are a lyophilizedformulation comprising peptides, mannitol, and TWEEN 80® or thepeptides, mannitol and poloxamer 188 or preferably are areconstituted-liquid composition. As such, the term “pharmaceuticalcompositions” as used herein maybe also refer to the lyophilizedformulation to indicate that the composition is present in a lyophilizedform.

Preferably, the peptides in the pharmaceutical compositions comprise atleast one of the peptides set forth in SEQ ID NO: Ito 10, which arelocated and have been identified on primary renal cancer cells or atleast one of the peptides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 to 22 andoptionally SEQ ID NO: 23, which are located and have been identified onprimary glioma cancer cells.

In other preferred embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprisepeptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:12 and/or SEQ ID NO: 13 and further comprise at least one peptideconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:14 to SEQ ID NO: 23.

The peptide sets includes HLA class I and class II peptides. Preferably,a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises apeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and/or at leastone other peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 3-10 or a peptide as set forthin SEQ ID NO:12 and/or SEQ ID NO:13 and/or at least one other peptidecomprising SEQ ID NO: 11 and 14-23.

The pharmaceutical compositions comprise the peptides either in the freeform or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

As used herein, “a pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to aderivative of the disclosed peptides wherein the peptide is modified bymaking acid or base salts of the agent. For example, acid salts areprepared from the free base (typically wherein the neutral form of thedrug has a neutral —NH₂ group) involving reaction with a suitable acid.Suitable acids for preparing acid salts include both organic acids,e.g., acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalicacid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaricacid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelicacid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,salicylic acid, and the like, as well as inorganic acids, e.g.,hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acidphosphoric acid and the like. Conversely, preparation of basic salts ofacid moieties that may be present on a peptide are prepared using apharmaceutically acceptable base such as sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, trimethylamine or thelike.

In an especially preferred embodiment the pharmaceutical compositionscomprise the peptides as salts of acetic acid (acetates) or hydrochloricacid (chlorides).

In an even more preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositionsaccording to the invention comprise SEQ ID NO: 5 as a chloride and allother peptides as acetates.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also contain atleast one peptide to serve as a positive control peptide as an immunemarker to test the efficiency of the intradermal administration. Onesuch exemplary peptide is derived from HBV core antigen (SEQ ID NO:11).

In one particular embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises11 different peptides, each consisting of the amino acid sequences setforth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 11. (See Table 1). Preferably, each peptide inthe pharmaceutical composition is present in an amount of between about1500 μg to about 75 μg, preferably between about 1000 μg to about 750 μgand more preferably between about 500 μg to about 600 μg, and mostpreferably about 578 μg. Preferably, each peptide is purified by HPLCand ion exchange chromatography, and appears as a white to off-whitepowder.

In another particular embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositioncomprises 12 different peptides, each consisting of the amino acidsequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 to 22 and optionally, the sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 23. (See Table 1). Preferably, each peptide inthe pharmaceutical composition is present in an amount of between about1500 μg to about 75 μg, preferably between about 1000 μg to about 750 μgand more preferably between about 500 μg to about 600 μg, and mostpreferably about 578 μg. Preferably, each peptide is purified by HPLCand ion exchange chromatography, and appears as a white to off-whitepowder.

TABLE 1Preferred peptides in pharmaceutical compositions of the present inventionInternal Sequence ID Antigen Sequence SEQ ID NO: IMA-MMP-001Matrix metalloproteinase 7 SQDDIKGIQKLYGKRS 1 IMA-ADF-002 AdipophilinVMAGDIYSV 2 IMA-ADF-001 Adipophilin SVASTITGV 3 IMA-APO-001Apolipoprotein L1 ALADGVQKV 4 IMA-CCN-001 Cyclin D1 LLGATCMFV 5IMA-GUC-001 GUCY1A3 SVFAGVVGV 6 IMA-K67-001 KIAA0367 ALFDGDPHL 7IMA-MET-001 c-met proto-oncogene YVDPVITSI 8 IMA-MUC-001 MUC1 STAPPVHNV9 IMA-RGS-001 RGS-5 LAALPHSCL 10 IMA-HBV-001 HBV FLPSDFFPSV 11IMA-BCA-002 Brevican (NP_068767, 478-486) ALWAWPSEL 12 IMA-BIR-002Baculoviral IAP repeat- TLGEFLKLDRERAKN 13containing 5 (NP_001159, 97-111) IMA-CSP-001 Chondroitin sulfateTMLARLASA 14 proteoglycan 4 (NP_001888, 21-29) IMA-FABP7-001Fatty acid binding protein LTFGDVVAV 15 7, brain (NP_001437, 118-126)IMA-IGF2BP3-001 Insulin-like growth factor 2 KIQEILTQV 16mRNA binding protein 3 (NP_006538, 552-560) IMA-MET-005Met proto-oncogene TFSYVDPVITSISPKYG 17 (NP_000236, 651-667)IMA-NLGN4X-001 Neuroligin 4, X-linked NLDTLMTYV 18 (NP_065793, 131-139)IMA-NRCAM-001 Neuronal cell adhesion GLWHHQTEV 19molecule (NP_001032209, 692-700) IMA-PTP-003 Protein tyrosine AIIDGVESV20 phosphatise, receptor-type, Z polypeptide 1 (NP_002842, 195-203)IMA-PTP-005 Protein tyrosine KVFAGIPTV 21 phosphatise, receptor-type,Z polypeptide 1 (NP_002842, 1347-1355) IMA-TNC-001Tenascin C (NP_002151, 3-11) AMTQLLAGV 22 IMA-CHI-001 SLWAGVVVL 23

The term “peptide” is used herein to designate a series of amino acidresidues, connected one to the other typically by peptide bonds betweenthe alpha-amino and carbonyl groups of the adjacent amino acids. Thepeptides are typically 9 amino acids in length for MHC class I andlonger (15 or 16 amino acids) for MHC class II, but can be as short as 8amino acids in length, and as long as 16 amino acids in length.

The term “oligopeptide” is used herein to designate a series of aminoacid residues, connected one to the other typically by peptide bondsbetween the alpha-amino and carbonyl groups of the adjacent amino acids.The length of the oligopeptide is not critical to the invention, as longas the correct epitope or epitopes are maintained therein. Theoligopeptides are typically less than about 30 amino acid residues inlength, and greater than about 14 amino acids in length.

The term “polypeptide” designates a series of amino acid residues,connected one to the other typically by peptide bonds between thealpha-amino and carbonyl groups of the adjacent amino acids. The lengthof the polypeptide is not critical to the invention as long as thecorrect epitopes are maintained. In contrast to the terms peptide oroligopeptide, the term polypeptide is meant to refer to proteinmolecules of longer than about 30 residues in length.

A peptide, oligopeptide, protein, or polynucleotide coding for such amolecule is “immunogenic” (and thus an “immunogen” within the presentinvention), if it is capable of inducing an immune response. In the caseof the present invention, immunogenicity is more specifically defined asthe ability to induce a CTL-mediated response. Thus, an “immunogen”would be a molecule that is capable of inducing an immune response, andin the case of the present invention, a molecule capable of inducing aCTL response.

A T cell “epitope” is a short peptide molecule that binds to a class Ior II MHC molecule and that is subsequently recognized by a T cell. Tcell epitopes that bind to class I MHC molecules are typically 8-14amino acids in length, and most typically 9 amino acids in length. Tcell epitopes that bind to class II MHC molecules are typically 12-30amino acids in length. In the case of epitopes that bind to class II MHCmolecules, the same T cell epitope may share a common core segment, butdiffer in the length of the carboxy- and amino-terminal flankingsequences due to the fact that the ends of the peptide molecule are notburied in the structure of the class II MHC molecule peptide-bindinggroove as they are in the class I MHC molecule peptide-binding groove.

There are three different genetic loci that encode for class I MHCmolecules: HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C. HLA-A1, HLA-A2, and HLA-A1l areexamples of different class I MHC molecules that can be expressed fromthese loci.

As used herein, the terms “portion,” “segment,” and “fragment,” whenused in relation to polypeptides, refer to a continuous sequence ofresidues, such as amino acid residues, which sequence forms a subset ofa larger sequence. For example, if a polypeptide was subjected totreatment with any of the common endopeptidases, such as trypsin orchymotrypsin, the oligopeptides resulting from such treatment wouldrepresent portions, segments or fragments of the starting polypeptide.This means that any such fragment will necessarily contain as part ofits amino acid sequence a segment, fragment or portion, that issubstantially identical, if not exactly identical, to a sequence of SEQID NO: 1 to 23, which correspond to the naturally occurring, or “parent”proteins of the SEQ ID NO: 1 to 23. When used in relation topolynucleotides, such terms refer to the products produced by treatmentof said polynucleotides with any of the common endonucleases.

In accordance with the present invention, the term “percent identity” or“percent identical,” when referring to a sequence, means that a sequenceis compared to a claimed or described sequence after alignment of thesequence to be compared (the “Compared Sequence”) with the described orclaimed sequence (the “Reference Sequence”). The Percent Identity isthen determined according to the following formula:

Percent Identity=100[I−(C/R)]

wherein C is the number of differences between the Reference Sequenceand the Compared Sequence over the length of alignment between theReference Sequence and the Compared Sequence, wherein(i) each base or amino acid in the Reference Sequence that does not havea corresponding aligned base or amino acid in the Compared Sequence, and(ii) each gap in the Reference Sequence, and(iii) each aligned base or amino acid in the Reference Sequence that isdifferent from an aligned base or amino acid in the Compared Sequence,constitutes a difference; and R is the number of bases or amino acids inthe Reference Sequence over the length of the alignment with theCompared Sequence with any gap created in the Reference Sequence alsobeing counted as a base or amino acid.

If an alignment exists between the Compared Sequence and the ReferenceSequence for which the percent identity as calculated above is aboutequal to or greater than a specified minimum Percent Identity, then theCompared Sequence has the specified minimum percent identity to theReference Sequence even though alignments may exist in which the hereinabove calculated Percent Identity is less than the specified PercentIdentity.

The peptides in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present inventioncan be modified by the substitution of one or more residues atdifferent, possibly selective, sites within the peptide chain. Suchsubstitutions may be of a conservative nature, for example, where oneamino acid is replaced by an amino acid of similar structure andcharacteristics, such as where a hydrophobic amino acid is replaced byanother hydrophobic amino acid. Even more conservative would bereplacement of amino acids of the same or similar size and chemicalnature, such as where leucine is replaced by isoleucine. In studies ofsequence variations in families of naturally occurring homologousproteins, certain amino acid substitutions are more often tolerated thanothers, and these often show correlation with similarities in size,charge, polarity, and hydrophobicity between the original amino acid andits replacement, and such is the basis for defining “conservativesubstitutions.”

Conservative substitutions are herein defined as exchanges within one ofthe following five groups: Group 1—small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightlypolar residues (Ala, Ser, Thr, Pro, Gly); Group 2—polar, negativelycharged residues and their amides (Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln); Group 3—polar,positively charged residues (His, Arg, Lys); Group 4—large, aliphatic,nonpolar residues (Met, Leu, Ile, Val, Cys); and Group 5—large, aromaticresidues (Phe, Tyr, Trp).

Less conservative substitutions might involve the replacement of oneamino acid by another that has similar characteristics but is somewhatdifferent in size, such as replacement of an alanine by an isoleucineresidue. Highly non-conservative replacements might involve substitutingan acidic amino acid for one that is polar, or even for one that isbasic in character. Such “radical” substitutions cannot, however, bedismissed as potentially ineffective since chemical effects are nottotally predictable and radical substitutions might well give rise toserendipitous effects not otherwise predictable from simple chemicalprinciples.

Of course, such substitutions may involve structures other than thecommon L-amino acids. Thus, D-amino acids might be substituted for theL-amino acids commonly found in the antigenic peptides of the inventionand yet still be encompassed by the disclosure herein. In addition,amino acids possessing non-standard R groups (i.e., R groups other thanthose found in the common 20 amino acids of natural proteins) may alsobe used for substitution purposes to produce immunogens and immunogenicpolypeptides according to the present invention.

If substitutions at more than one position are found to result in apeptide with substantially equivalent or greater immunogenic activity asdefined below, then combinations of those substitutions will be testedto determine if the combined substitutions result in additive orsynergistic effects on the immunogenicity of the peptide. At most, nomore than four positions within the peptide would simultaneously besubstituted.

Preferably, when the CTLs specific for a peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 to 23are tested against the substituted peptides, the peptide concentrationat which the substituted peptides achieve half the maximal increase inlysis relative to background is no more than about 1 mM, preferably nomore than about 1 μM, more preferably no more than about 1 nM, and stillmore preferably no more than about 100 μM, and most preferably no morethan about 10 μM. It is also preferred that the substituted peptide berecognized by CTLs from more than one individual, at least two, and morepreferably three individuals.

Mucin-1 (MUC1) is a highly glycosylated type I transmembraneglycoprotein that is abundantly overexpressed on the cell surface ofmany human adenocarcinomas like breast and ovarian cancers. Aberrantdeglycosylation in malignancies is common and unmasks epitopes in tumourcells that might not be presented on normal cells. Moreover, MUC1expression has been demonstrated in multiple myeloma and some B-cellNon-Hodgkin lymphomas. Several recent reports (Apostolopoulos V andMcKenzie IF. Cellular mucins: targets for immunotherapy. Crit Rev.Immunol. 14:293-309 (1994); Finn O J, Jerome K R, Henderson R A, PecherG, Domenech N, Magarian-Blander J, and Barratt-Boyes S M. MUC-1epithelial tumor mucin-based immunity and cancer vaccines. Immunol. Rev.145:61-89 (1995); Barnd 1989; Takahashi 1994; Noto 1997) demonstratedthat cytotoxic MHC-unrestricted T-cells from ovarian, breast,pancreatic, and multiple myeloma tumours can recognize epitopes of theMUC1 protein core localized in the tandem repeat. Two HLA-A2-restrictedT-cell epitopes derived from the MUC1 protein have been identified(Brossart 1999, EP 1484397). One peptide is derived from the tandemrepeat region of the MUC1 protein. The second peptide is localizedwithin the signal sequence of MUC1. Induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyteresponses in vivo after vaccinations with peptide-pulsed dendritic cellsin patients with advanced breast or ovarian cancer using those peptideshas been successful (Brossart 2000) (Wierecky 2005). With respect torenal cell carcinoma, MUC1 expression is common in conventional tumoursand has been reported to be associated with tumour grade and stage. ForMUC1, protein overexpression is not correlated to mRNA overexpression.

Adipophilin is a marker for specialized differentiated cells containinglipid droplets and for diseases associated with fat-accumulating cells(Heid 1998). Adipophilin occurs in a wide range of cultured cell lines,including fibroblasts and endothelial and epithelial cells. In tissues,however, expression of adipophilin is restricted to certain cell types,such as lactating mammary epithelial cells, adrenal cortex cells,Sertoli and Leydig cells of the male reproductive system, and steatosisor fatty change hepatocytes in alcoholic liver cirrhosis (Heid 1998).Adipophilin has been reported to be overexpressed in colorectal cancer(Saha 2001), hepatocellular carcinoma (Kurokawa 2004), and in renal cellcarcinoma (Young 2001).

c-Met encodes a heterodimeric transmembranous receptor with tyrosinekinase activity that is composed of an α-chain that is disulfide-linkedto a β-subunit (Bottaro 1991; Rubin 1993). Both subunits are expressedon the surface, the heavy β-subunit is responsible for the binding ofthe ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the α-subunit contains anintracellular domain that mediates the activation of different signaltransduction pathways. c-Met signalling is involved in organregeneration, as demonstrated for liver and kidney, embryogenesis,haematopoiesis, muscle development, and in the regulation of migrationand adhesion of normally activated B-cells and monocytes (Zarnegar 1995;Naldini 1991; Montesano 1998; Schmidt 1995; Uehara 1995; Bladt 1995;Takayama 1996; Mizuno 1993; van, V 1997; Beilmann 2000). Furthermore,numerous studies indicated the involvement of c-Met overexpression inmalignant transformation and invasiveness of malignant cells. c-Metmediates the multifunctional and potentially oncogenic activities of theHGF/scatter factor including promotion of cell growth, motility,survival, extracellular matrix dissolution, and angiogenesis (Bottaro1991; Rubin 1993; Zarnegar 1995). Binding of HGF to the receptor inducesautophosphorylation of c-Met and activates downstream signalling eventsincluding the ras, phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase, phospholipase Cγ, andmitogen-activated protein kinase-related pathways. The c-Met gene isexpressed predominantly in epithelial cells and is over-expressed inseveral malignant tissues and cell lines. An increasing number ofreports have shown that nonepithelial cells such as haematopoietic,neural, and skeletal cells respond to HGF and haematologicalmalignancies like multiple myeloma, Hodgkin disease, leukaemia, andlymphoma express the c-Met protein. Deregulated control of the invasivegrowth phenotype by oncogenically activated c-Met provoked byc-Met-activating mutations, c-Met amplification/over-expression, and theacquisition of HGF/c-Met autocrine loops confers invasive and metastaticproperties to malignant cells. Notably, constitutive activation of c-Metin HGF-over-expressing transgenic mice promotes broad tumourigenesis.

Regulator of G-Protein Signalling 5 (RGSS) is a negative regulator ofheterotrimeric G-protein signalling pathways, although its function invivo remains elusive. RGS proteins comprise a family of molecules with aunifying catalytic function but varying tissue distribution. Theystimulate the intrinsic guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity ofactivated Gα subunits and thereby accelerate G-protein inactivation.Thus, RGS molecules inhibit signalling downstream of G-protein-coupledreceptors (De 2000). Recently, it has been shown that Regulator ofG-protein signaling-5 induction in pericytes coincides with activevessel remodelling during tumour neovascularization. In a mouse model ofpancreatic islet cell carcinogenesis, as well as in highly angiogenicastrocytomas, overexpression of RGSS has been shown in pericytes duringthe angiogenic switch accompanying active vessel remodelling.Overexpression was restricted to the tumour vasculature as compared to anormal islet of Langerhans. However, RGSS is also upregulated duringwound healing and ovulation (Berger 2005).

Expression of RGSS is increased in RCC (Rae 2000). In another study,RT-PCR showed strong expression of RGSS in all RCCs examined, andexpression was very weak or undetectable in normal kidneys (6.6:1 byreal-time PCR). Tumour endothelial cells were the main location of RGSSin RCC (Furuya 2004). Furthermore, RGSS was reported to be a sinusoidalendothelial cell marker in hepatocellular carcinoma (Chen 2004).

Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) is a secreted high density lipoprotein thatbinds to apolipoprotein A-I. Apolipoprotein A-I is a relatively abundantplasma protein and is the major apoprotein of HDL. It is involved in theformation of most cholesteryl esters in plasma and also promotes effluxof cholesterol from cells. Apolipoprotein L1 may play a role in lipidexchange and transport throughout the body, as well as in reversecholesterol transport from peripheral cells to the liver. The plasmaprotein is a single chain polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass ofabout 40 kDa (Duchateau 1997; Duchateau 2001). APOL1 cDNA was isolatedfrom an activated endothelial cell cDNA library and shown to beupregulated by TNF-α, which is a potent proinflammatory cytokine.(Monajemi 2002).

KIAA0367 was identified in the Kazusa cDNA Project that aims to identifyunknown long human transcripts encoding putative proteins (Ohara 1997).Although the function of the putative 820 amino acid long proteinproduct of KIAA0367 is unknown, it contains a CRAL-TRIO lipid bindingdomain profile at the C-terminus that binds small hydrophobic moleculesand is present in several nucleotide exchange factors and in theBCL2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa protein-interacting protein 2 (BNIP-2).BNIP-2 is involved in the control of diverse cellular functionsincluding cell morphology, migration, endocytosis and cell cycleprogression (Zhou 2005). KIAA0367 is located on the chromosomal region9q21. This region is described as a common target of homozygous deletionin many tumours (Gursky 2001; Weber 2001) or loss of heterozygocity(Louhelainen 2000; Tripathi 2003).

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), a heterodimeric protein consisting ofan alpha and a beta subunit (1 heme-group), catalyzes the conversion ofGTP to the second messenger cGMP and functions as the main receptor fornitric oxide and nitrovasodilator drugs (Zabel 1998). GUCYa3 and b3 areoverexpressed in human gliomas. Transfection of antisense GUCY1A3 orGUCY1B3 reduced vascularisation and tumour growth in nude mice. Thismight be due to the fact that VEGF is induced by cGMP (Saino 2004).GUCY1A3 promotes tumour cell migration of a mice mammary tumor cell line(Jadeski 2003).

Cyclin D1 belongs to the highly conserved cyclin family, more specificto the cyclin D subfamily (Xiong 1991; Lew 1991). Cyclins function asregulators of CDKs (cyclin-dependent kinases). Different cyclins exhibitdistinct expression and degradation patterns that contribute to thetemporal coordination of each mitotic event (Deshpande 2005). Cyclin D1forms a complex with- and functions as a regulatory subunit of CDK4 orCDK6, whose activity is required for cell cycle G1/S transition. CCND1forms with CDK4 and CDK6 a serine/threonine kinase holoenzyme compleximparting substrate specificity to the complex (Bates 1994). The proteinhas been shown to interact with tumour suppressor protein Rb (Loden2002) and the expression of this gene is regulated positively by Rb(Halaban 1999). Mutations, amplification and overexpression of thisgene, which alters cell cycle progression, are observed frequently in avariety of tumours and may contribute to tumorigenesis (Hedberg 1999;Vasef 1999; Troussard 2000).

CSPG4 (chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan) represents an integral membranechondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. It is known as an early cell surfacemelanoma progression marker implicated in stimulating tumor cellproliferation, migration and invasion. CSPG4 is strongly expressedon >90% of human melanoma lesions. Although CSPG4 is not strictly tumorspecific, tumor-reactive CD4+ T-cell responses in melanoma patients andhealthy individuals recognize CSPG4₆₉₃₋₇₀₉ on HLA-DR11-expressingmelanoma cells in the absence of autoimmunity (Erfurt et al., 2007).

CSPG4 expression has also been described in some normal tissues besidesactivated pericytes such as endothelial cells, chondrocytes, smoothmuscle cells, certain basal keratinocytes within the epidermis, as wellas cells within the hair follicle (Campoli et al., 2004).

During angiogenesis and in response to CNS pathologies, the highlymotile CSPG4 cells undergo rapid morphological changes and are recruitedto sites where vessel growth and repair are occurring. CSPG4 isover-expressed by both tumor cells and pericytes on the blood vessels ofmalignant brain tumors (Chekenya and Pilkington, 2002). By implantingcells from an CSPG4-positive human glioma cell line into immunodeficientnude rat brains it was shown that these tumors had a highermicrovascular density in comparison to controls implying that CSPG4expression regulates both the function and the structure of thehost-derived tumor vasculature (Brekke et al., 2006). In a xenograftexperiment of implantation of GBM biopsy material into nude rats, CSPG4was identified to be mainly associated with blood vessels on both thepericyte and basement membrane components of the tumor vasculature andthe expression was also associated with areas of high cellularproliferation (Chekenya et al., 2002a). Furthermore, CSPG4 expressionparalleled progression of the tumor in a glioma implantation model(Wiranowska et al., 2006).

CSPG4 is differentially expressed in human gliomas with higherexpression in high grade gliolmas as compared to low-grade gliomas(Chekenya et al., 1999). High expression of CSPG4 correlates withmultidrug resistance mediated by increased activation of α3β1integrin/PI3K signaling and their downstream targets, promoting cellsurvival (Chekenya et al., 2008).

FABP7: Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are cytosolic 14-15 kDaproteins, which are supposed to be involved in fatty acid (FA) uptake,transport, and targeting. They are thought to increase the solubility ofFAs in the cytoplasm when transporting FAs between membranecompartments, and bring FAs to their nuclear targets (Glatz et al.,2002). FABPs may modulate FA concentration and in this way influencevarious cellular functions such as enzymatic activity, gene expression,cellular growth and differentiation (Glatz and Storch, 2001).

FABP7 mRNA is expressed in tissues of neuroepithelial origin as well asin malignant glioma tumors (WHO grade III and IV). The gene was mappedto chromosome band 6q22-23, a region which also contains theproto-oncogene c-myc and frequently undergoes loss of heterozygosity inmalignant glioma. Analysis of malignant glioma cell lines showed thatFABP7 is often co-expressed with the glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) suggesting that the cell of origin of malignant glioma may be anastrocytic precursor cell that has the potential of expressing bothproteins normally or as the result of tumor formation (Godbout et al.,1998). FABP7 protein shows moderate to strong nuclear and cytoplasmicexpression in GBM. FABP7-transfected glioma cells display 5-fold greatermigration than control cells. Thus, the shorter overall survivalassociated with FABP7 over-expression especially in GBM may be due toincreased migration and invasion of tumor cells into the surroundingbrain parenchyma (Liang et al., 2005). Further analysis of FABP7distribution in astrocytoma tumors indicates elevated levels of FABP7 ininfiltrating regions of the tumors proposing an important role for FABP7in driving the infiltration of malignant cells into adjacent braintissues (Mita et al., 2007). FABP7 demonstrates variable expressionlevels and subcellular localization in glial tissues and all grades ofastrocytoma. Nevertheless, nuclear localization of FABP7 seems to beespecially associated with the infiltrative phenotype of glioma cellsand EGFR pathways, as its nuclear translocation is detected after EGFRactivation and is associated with poor prognosis in EGFR-positive GBM.Moreover, no nuclear FABP7 immunoreactivity can be observed in grade Iastrocytoma (Liang et al., 2006; Kaloshi et al., 2007).

Neuroligin 4, X-linked is a member of a cell adhesion protein familythat appears to play a role in the maturation and function of neuronalsynapses. The members of the neuroligin family have a related structuralorganization, with an N-terminal signal peptide, the esterase-likedomain with two sites of alternative splicing, a small linker region oflow sequence identity in front of the transmembrane domain, and a shortcytosolic part with a highly conserved C-Terminus Highest relativeneuroligin 4 mRNA levels were found in heart. Lower expression wasdetected in liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas, whereas in brain,placenta, lung and kidney, neuroligin 4 mRNA was hardly detectable(Bolliger et al., 2001).

Mutations in the X-linked NLGN4 gene are a potential cause of autisticspectrum disorders, and mutations have been reported in several patientswith autism, Asperger syndrome, and mental retardation (Jamain et al.,2003; Laumonnier et al., 2004; Lawson-Yuen et al., 2008).

Few associations of NLGN4X with cancer have been described: Ingastrointestinal stromal tumors, over-expression of NLGN4X has beenfound in pediatric and young adult versus older adult cases (Prakash etal., 2005).

Tenascin C: The extracellular matrix surrounding tumor cells isdifferent from the extracellular matrix in normal tissues. Tenascin-C(TNC) is an extracellular matrix protein that is highly up-regulated inprocesses that are closely associated with elevated migratory activitysuch as embryonic development (Bartsch et al., 1992), wound healing(Mackie et al., 1988) and neoplastic processes (Chiquet-Ehrismann, 1993;Chiquet-Ehrismann and Chiquet, 2003). Furthermore, TNC is over-expressedin tumor vessels that have a high proliferative index, which indicatesthat TNC is involved in neoplastic angiogenesis (Kim et al., 2000). Innormal human brain, the expression of TNC is detected only rarelywhereas it is expressed at high levels in malignant gliomas (Bourdon etal., 1983). TNC-expression can be induced by hypoxia (Lal et al., 2001),by TGF-beta1, providing a mechanism for the invasion of high-gradegliomas into healthy parenchyma (Hau et al., 2006), or by gastrin, whichsignificantly modulates the migration of human GBM cells (Kucharczak etal., 2001). TNC down-regulates tropomyosin-1 and thus destabilizes actinstress fibers. It additionally causes down-regulation of the WntinhibitorDKK1. As reduced tropomyosin-1 expression and increased Wntsignaling are closely linked to transformation and tumorigenesis, TNCspecifically modulates these signaling pathways to enhance proliferationof glioma cells (Ruiz et al., 2004).

Perivascular staining of TNC around tumor-supplying blood vessels isobserved in GBM tissues, whereas it is less frequent in WHO grade II andIII gliomas, indicating that the intensity of TNC staining correlateswith the tumor grade and the strongest staining indicates poor prognosis(Herold-Mende et al., 2002). TNC also contributes to the generation of astem cell niche within the subventricular zone (SVZ), acting toorchestrate growth factor signaling to accelerate neural stem celldevelopment. The predominant effect of TNC on cells in the SVZ is theregulation of developmental progression (Garcion et al., 2004). TNC isthe strongest inducer of directed human neural stem cell (NSC)migration. The tumor-produced ECM thus provides a permissive environmentfor NSC tropism to disseminated tumor cells (Ziu et al., 2006).

NRCAM (neuronal cell adhesion molecule) is a neuronal transmembrane celladhesion molecule with multiple immunoglobulin-like C2-type andfibronectin type-III domains. It is involved in the guidance, outgrowth,and fasciculation of neuronal cells (Grumet et al., 1991; Morales etal., 1993; Stoeckli and Landmesser, 1995; Perrin et al., 2001; Sakuraiet al., 2001) by forming homophilic, as well as heterophilicinteractions with other IgCAMs (Volkmer et al., 1996; Sakurai et al.,1997; Zacharias et al., 1999). The ankyrin-binding NRCAM (Davis andBennett, 1994) is upregulated in tube forming endothelial cellssuggesting a possible role in tube formation and angiogenesis(Aitkenhead et al., 2002).

NRCAM is a target gene of the β-catenin and plakoglobin-LEF/TCF complexthat contributes to oncogenesis (Conacci-Sorrell et al., 2002). TheNRCAM ectodomain can be shed from the cell surface bymetalloprotease-like activities. This shed domain is able to activatevarious signaling pathways, enhances cell motility, and conferstumorigenesis in mice (Conacci-Sorrell et al., 2005).

NRCAM is upregulated in anaplastic astrocytomas and GBM tumor tissues ascompared to normal brain, and increased levels are correlated with theinvasive behavior (Sehgal et al., 1998). Antisense RNA against NRCAMdecreases the tumorigenic capacity of human GBM cells (Sehgal et al.,1999).

IGF2BP3 is a member of the insulin-like growth factor-II mRNA-bindingprotein family, implicated in mRNA localization, turnover andtranslational control. The protein contains several KH (K-homologous)domains, which are important in RNA binding and are known to be involvedin RNA synthesis and metabolism. Expression occurs mainly duringembryonic development and has been described for some tumors. Thus,IGF2BP3 is considered to be an oncofetal protein (Liao et al., 2005).The presence of high transcript levels of IGF2BP3 in numerous cancertissues as compared to control tissues indicates that the IGF2BP3protein might play a functional role in proliferating transformed cells.This hypothesis is supported by the finding that the only non-malignanthuman tissue expressing the IGF2BP3 transcript is human placenta, atissue characterized by cell growth and proliferation (Mueller-Pillaschet al., 1997).

For example IGF2BP3 is expressed in clear cell RCC specimen and itsexpression is associated with advanced stage and grade of primarytumors. Furthermore, positive IGF2BP3 expression is associated with a5-10 fold increased risk of distant metastases and with a 42%-50%increase in the risk of death from RCC (Hoffmann et al., 2008; Jiang etal., 2006; Jiang et al., 2008).

IGF2BP3 is also highly expressed in pancreatic carcinomas. In 2studies >90% of pancreatic tumor tissue samples showed IGF2BP3expression after immunostaining whereas non-neoplastic pancreatictissues were negative for IGF2BP3. Furthermore, the expression increasedprogressively with tumor stage (Yantiss et al., 2005; Yantiss et al.,2008).

IGF2BP3 expression was also found to be significantly increased inhigh-grade urothelial tumors while it is generally not expressed inbenign urothelium or low-grade urothelial tumors. Moreover, patientswith IGF2BP3-positive tumors have a much lower progression-free survivaland disease-free survival rate than those with IGF2BP3-negative tumors(Li et al., 2008; Sitnikova et al., 2008; Zheng et al., 2008).

Brevican (BCAN) is a brain-specific member of the lectican family ofchondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. Two BCAN isoforms have been reported:a full-length isoform that is secreted into the extracellular matrix anda shorter isoform with a sequence that predicts aglycophosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. The secreted isoform is highlyexpressed from birth through 8 years of age and is downregulated by 20years of age to low levels that are maintained in the normal adultcortex. The GPI isoform is expressed at uniformly low levels throughoutdevelopment (Gary et al., 2000). BCAN belongs to a family ofproteoglycans usually described as barrier molecules that prevent celland neurite motility in the adult nervous system (Viapiano and Matthews,2006). In vivo, BCAN is expressed around the boundaries of the rostralmigratory stream (Jaworski and Fager, 2000) and is a major upregulatedcomponent of the glial scar after neural injury (Jaworski et al., 1999).

BCAN shows dramatic upregulation in gliomas, where an approximatelyseven-fold increase in expression over normal levels can be detected.BCAN mRNA was not detected in samples of adult human cortex fromindividuals who died without neurological complications. In sharpcontrast, BCAN mRNA was detected in every one of 27 surgical samples ofhuman glioma, thus suggesting that BCAN might be a unique and selectivemarker in glioma (Jaworski et al., 1996).

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Receptor-Type, Zetal (PTPRZ1,PTP-ξ)-PTPRZ1 is a member of the receptor type protein tyrosinephosphatase family and encodes a single-pass type I membrane proteinwith two cytoplasmatic tyrosine-protein phosphatase domains, analpha-carbonic anhydrase domain and a fibronectin type-III domain.Expression of this gene is induced in gastric cancer cells (Wu et al.,2006), in breast cancer (Perez-Pinera et al., 2007), in theremyelinating oligodendrocytes of multiple sclerosis lesions (Harroch etal., 2002), and in human embryonic kidney cells under hypoxic conditions(Wang et al., 2005).

Both the protein and transcript are overexpressed in glioblastoma cells,promoting their haptotactic migration (Lu et al., 2005), and genomic DNAamplification in glioblastoma (Mulholland et al., 2006).

Chitinase 3-Like 2 (CHI3L2)-CHI3L2 was originally identified fromchondrocytes and is upregulated e.g. in osteoarthritis (Steck et al.,2002). Although the protein is not well characterized yet, it is mostlikely secreted into the extracellular space. It has been frequentlydescribed as a target antigen in rheumatoid arthritis. Experimentalanti-angiogenesis induction by siRNA transfection (VEGF-A) of a humanglioma cell line caused upregulation of CHI3L2.

Survivin (BIRCS)—Expression of BIRCS (survivin), a member of theinhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, is elevated in fetaltissues and in various human cancers. Survivin seems to be capable ofregulating both cellular proliferation and apoptotic cell death.Especially in glioblastoma, very high levels of survivin expression aredetectable (Angileri et al., 2008). It is suggested that survivinoverexpression in brain gliomas might play an important role inmalignant proliferation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis (Zhen et al.,2005; Liu et al., 2006). Especially for glioblastoma, but also for othertumor entities, survivin expression was significantly associated withmalignancy grade (with highest survivin expression in glioblastoma) andshorter overall survival times compared with patients who hadsurvivin-negative tumors (Kajiwara et al., 2003; Saito et al., 2007;Uematsu et al., 2005; Mellai et al., 2008; Grunda et al., 2006; Xie etal., 2006; Sasaki et al., 2002; Chakravarti et al., 2002).

Proteins of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are involved inthe breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes,such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodelling, aswell as in disease processes, such as arthritis and metastasis (Mott2004). Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) is secreted as an inactivepro-protein of 29.6 kDa that is activated when cleaved by extracellularproteinases. The active enzyme has a molecular weight of 19.1 kDa andbinds two zinc ions and two calcium ions per subunit (Miyazaki 1990;Browner 1995). MMP7 degrades gelatins, fibronectin and casein (Miyazaki1990; Quantin 1989) and differs from most MMP family members in that itlacks a conserved C-terminal protein domain (Gaire 1994). MMP7 is oftenfound overexpressed in malignant tissue (Lin 2004; Bramhall 1997; Denys2004) and it is suggested that it facilitates tumour cell invasion invivo (Wang 2005).

These proteins can be the target of a tumour specific immune response inmultiple types of cancer.

The Hepatitis B Virus Core Antigen peptide HBV-001 is not derived froman endogenous human tumour-associated antigen, but is derived from theHepatitis B virus core antigen. First, it allows quantitative comparisonof the magnitude of T-cell responses induced by tumor associatedpeptides (TUMAPs) used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention and hence allows one to study their ability to elicitanti-tumour responses. Second, it functions as an important positivecontrol in the event of a lack of any T-cell responses in the patient.Third, it also allows monitoring of the immunocompetence of the patient.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is among the leading causes of liverdisease, affecting approximately 350 million people world-wide(Rehermann 2005). Due to the ease of horizontal and verticaltransmission and the potential for chronic disease that may lead toliver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, HBV represents a majorimpact on the public health system for many countries worldwide. The HBVgenome (Previsani 2002) is comprised of partially double-strandedcircular DNA. In HBV virions, the DNA is packed together with the coreprotein HBc and other proteins to form the nucleocapsid, which issurrounded by an outer envelope containing lipids and the surfaceprotein family HBs (also called envelope protein). The antigenicdeterminants that are associated with HBc and HBs are noted as HBcAg andHBsAg, respectively. These antigens are associated with serological,i.e. antibody responses found in the patient blood and are among theclinically most useful antigen-antibody systems for the diagnosis of HBVinfection. HBc will represent a novel foreign antigen for allindividuals without prior history of HBV infection. As immunogenicpeptides are well known for this antigen (Bertoletti 1993; Livingston1997), one ten-amino acid peptide from HBcAg was selected as a positivecontrol antigen within IMA. The induction of HBc peptide-specific CTLswill then be used as a marker for patient immunocompetence andsuccessful vaccination.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be used forparenteral administration, such as subcutaneous, intradermal,intraperitoneal, intravenous, intramuscular or oral administration. Forthis, the peptides are dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceuticallyacceptable, preferably aqueous carrier. In addition, the composition canalso contain excipients, such as antioxidants, preserving agents,buffers, binding agents, blasting agents, diluents, and flavours. Thepeptides can also be administered together with immune stimulatingsubstances, such as cytokines. An extensive listing of excipients thatcan be used in such a composition, can be, for example, taken from A.Kibbe, Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 3. Ed., 2000, AmericanPharmaceutical Association and pharmaceutical press. Compositions of theinvention can be used for a prevention, prophylaxis and/or therapy ofadenomateous or cancerous diseases.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administeredto a patient that suffers from an adenomateous or cancerous disease thatis associated with the respective peptide or antigen of SEQ ID NO:1-10or a patient that suffers from brain cancer, in particular, glioma,especially glioblastoma cancerous disease that is associated with therespective peptide or antigen of SEQ ID NO:11 to 22 or 11 to 23. Thepeptides in the pharmaceutical composition are able to trigger aT-cell-mediated immune response in the patient. As noted above, in caseof renal cell cancer a pharmaceutical composition according to thepresent invention preferably comprises a peptide comprising the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and furthercomprises at least one additional tumour associated peptide comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 to SEQ ID NO: 10. Inthe case of brain cancer, in particular glioma, especially glioblastomacancer, the pharmaceutical composition preferably comprises a sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO:12 and/or SEQ ID NO:13 and further comprises atleast one additional tumour associated peptide comprising the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 and 14 to 22 and/or 23.

Preferably, peptides that are present in pharmaceutical compositions ofthe present invention have an overall length of between 9 and 100,preferably between 9 and 30, and most preferable between 9 and 16 aminoacids. Furthermore, at least one peptide according to any of SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO: 23 can include non-peptide bonds.

A preferred pharmaceutical composition of the invention (preferably forthe renal cell cancer vaccine) comprises a peptide consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2, andin other embodiments further comprises at least one peptide consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 to SEQ ID NO: 11.

A further preferred pharmaceutical composition of the invention (braincancer, in particular glioma, especially glioblastoma cancer vaccine)comprises a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 12 and/or SEQ ID NO: 13, and in other embodiments furthercomprises at least one peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 11 to SEQ ID NO: 22 and optionally SEQ ID NO: 23.

The peptide may also be tagged, or may be a fusion protein, or may be ahybrid molecule. The peptides whose sequence is given in the presentinvention are expected to stimulate CD8⁺ CTL. However, stimulation ismore efficient with the assistance from CD4⁺ T-cells. Thus, the fusionpartner or sections of a hybrid molecule suitably provide epitopes thatstimulate CD4⁺ T-cells. CD4⁺ stimulating epitopes are well known in theart and include those identified in tetanus toxoid. In a furtherpreferred embodiment the peptide is a fusion protein, in particularcomprising N-terminal amino acids of the HLA-DR antigen-associatedinvariant chain (Ii). In one embodiment the peptide of the invention isa truncated human protein or a fusion protein of a protein fragment andanother polypeptide portion provided that the human portion includes oneor more amino acid sequences of the present invention.

Peptides useful in the pharmaceutical composition may be substantiallypure, or combined with an immune-stimulating adjuvant, or used incombination with immune-stimulatory cytokines, or may be administeredwith a suitable delivery system, for example liposomes, micro-,nanoparticles, micelles, emulsions, gels. Peptide vaccination in generalneeds to be adjuvanted, and as such, GM-CSF is preferred (Human GM-CSFis commercially available as SARGRAMOSTIM®, LEUKINE®, available fromBerlex now Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals). Other suitable adjuvantsinclude Aquila's QS21 STIMULON® (Aquila Biotech, Worcester, Mass., USA),which is derived from saponin, mycobacterial extracts and syntheticbacterial cell wall mimics, and proprietary adjuvants such as Ribi'sDETOXT™. QUIL A™, another saponin derived adjuvant, may also be used(Superfos, Denmark). Other adjuvants such as Freund's may also beuseful. It may also be useful to give the peptide conjugated to keyholelimpet hemocyanin (KLH) or mannan (see WO 95/18145 and Longenecker et al(1993) Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 690,276-291). Since an adjuvant is defined asa substance enhancing the immune response to an antigen (MEDLINEPLUS®Medical Dictionary, NIH) other substances with this function may beused, including, but not limited to, toll-like receptor agonists (TLRagonists), preferably substances that interact agonistically with TLR 3,7, 8, and 9, such as protamine-stabilized RNA, CpG-oligonucleotides,CpR-oligonucleotides, bacterial DNA, and imidazoquinolines etc.

Other substances known in the art that are suitable to enhance an immuneresponse include, but are not limited to, inhibitors of inducible nitricoxide synthase (iNOS), arginase (ARG1), indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase(IDO), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1), vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TGF-betareceptor I (TGF-beta-RI). Such inhibitors may be, for example,monoclonal antibodies against the molecules or small molecules. Smallmolecules and monoclonal antibodies known in the art to have aninhibitory function towards the factors mentioned above, and thus animmune response enhancing effect are, for example, 1-MT, NCX-4016,rofecoxib, CELEBREX®, BEC, ABH, nor-NOHA, SB-505124, SD-208, LY580276,AMD3100, axitinib, bevacizumab, JSI-124, CPA-7, XL-999, ZD2171,pazopanib, CP-547632, and VEGF Trap.

In addition, substances reducing the number of regulatory T-cells (CD4+, CD25+, FoxP3+) are suitable as an adjuvants. These include, forexample, but are not limited to cyclophosphamide (CYTOXAN®), ONTAK®(denileukin diftitox), Sunitinib, Sorafenib, anti-CTLA-4 (MDX-010,CP-675206), anti-CD25, anti-CCL22, and anti-GITR.

Preferred amounts of peptides in pharmaceutical compositions of thepresent invention may vary between about 0.1 and 100 mg, preferablybetween about 0.1 to 1 mg, and most preferably between about 300 μg to800 μg per 500 μl of solution. The term “about” shall mean+/−10 percentof the given value, if not stated differently. The person of skill willbe able to adjust the actual amount of peptide to be used based onseveral factors, such as, for example, the immune status of theindividual patient and/or the amount of TUMAP that is presented in aparticular type of cancer.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention provide aformulation with an extremely enhanced solubility and the moistening ofthe lyophilisate over previously known compositions. This was achievedusing a special composition of excipients. In this way, pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention comprising peptides of SEQ ID NO:1 to 10 or SEQ ID NO: 1 to 11 and variants thereof were developed, whichshow a excellent shelf stability at (−20° C., +5° C., +25° C.) and canbe easily resolubilized.

The term “shelf stability” means that the percentage of by-products doesnot rise more than 5% in two years. Furthermore the term “stability”means that the specific properties such as the solubility, the opticalclarity of the solution and the number of particles in the solution donot change perceivable during that timeframe.

The term “easily resolubilized” shall mean that the lyophilisate can becompletely dissolved through the use of a buffer or other excipientsfrom seconds up to two minutes without the use of an of ultra sonichomogenizer. Furthermore the composition can be easily provided to apatient in need of treatment via i.d., and less preferably via s.c. ThepH-value of the resulting solution should be between pH 2.7 and pH 9.

In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of the presentinvention may include sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids such a glycin,arginine, glutaminic acid and others as framework former. The sugars maybe mono-, di- or trisaccharide. These sugars may be used alone, as wellas in combination with sugar alcohols. Examples of sugars includeglucose, mannose, galactose, fructose or sorbose as monosaccharides,saccharose, sucrose, lactose, maltose or trehalose as disaccharides andraffinose as a trisaccharid. A sugar alcohol may be, for example,mannitose. Preferred ingredients are saccharose, sucrose, lactose,maltose, trehalose, mannit and/or sorbit, and more preferably, mannitol.

Furthermore pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention mayinclude physiological well tolerated excipients (see Handbook ofPharmaceutical Excipients, 5^(th) ed., edited by Raymond Rowe, PaulSheskey and Sian Owen, Pharmaceutical Press (2006)), such asantioxidants like ascorbic acid or glutathione, preserving agents suchas phenole, m-cresole, methyl- or propylparabene, chlorobutanol,thiomersal or benzalkoniumchloride, stabilizer, framework former such assaccharose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, trehalose, mannitose, mannitand/or sorbit, mannit and/or lactose and solubilizer such aspolyethyleneglycols (PEG), i.e. PEG 3000, 3350, 4000 or 6000, orcyclodextrines, i.e. hydroxypropyle-β-cyclodextrine,sulfobutylethyl-β-cyclodextrine or γ cyclodextrine, or dextranes orpoloxaomers, i.e. poloxaomer 407°, poloxamer 188, or TWEEN 20® TWEEN80®. In a preferred embodiment pharmaceutical compositions of thepresent invention include one or more well tolerated excipients,selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, framework formersand stabilizers.

The present invention relates to the finding that formulations includingat least two sets of the peptides according to SEQ ID NO:1 to 10 or SEQID NO:1 to 11, mannitol and poloxamer 188 in a certain ratio lead tocompositions that show greatly enhanced stability and can be dissolvedwithout the use of ultra sonic treatment. Furthermore, solvation onlyrequires a few seconds. Regarding the lyophilizate, a clear toopalescent solution should be observed by visual inspection afterreconstitution with 4.2% sodium bicarbonate solution. Theseresolubilization characteristics of the pharmaceutical compositions ofthe present invention are reproducible even after storage of the drugproduct at −20° C., +5° C. and +25° C. for 2 years.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to formulations including atleast four sets of the peptides according to the SEQ ID NO: 11 to SEQ IDNO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 11 to SEQ ID NO: 23, SEQ ID NO: 12 to SEQ ID NO: 22or SEQ ID NO: 12 to SEQ ID NO: 23, wherein mannitol and poloxamer 188 ina certain ratio results in compositions that can be easily dissolved.Regarding the lyophilizate, a clear to opalescent solution should beobserved by visual inspection after reconstitution with 4.2% sodiumbicarbonate solution. The individual peptides in the describedformulation are stable for at least 3 month after storage at −20° C.,+5° C. and +25°.

In a preferred embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention comprise a particular ratio of peptides:mannitol:TWEEN 80® (byweight), including and in the range of between 1:2:1.5 to 1:8:2.2. Seethe chart below for other preferred ratios, which are included in thepresent invention. An especially preferred ratio is 1:5:2. Anotherespecially preferred ratio is 1:8:2.

In another preferred embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions of thepresent invention comprise a particular ratio ofpeptides:mannitol:poloxamer 188 (by weight), including and in the rangeof between 1:5:1.5 to 1:8:2.2. See the chart below for other preferredratios, which are included in the present invention. A preferred ratiois 1:5:1.

Another especially preferred ratio of peptides:mannitol:poloxamer 188 byweight is 1:8:2. A more preferred composition includes a mixture ofpeptides:mannitol:Poloxamer 188® in a ratio of 1:5:2 by weight (seeexample 2). Another ratio includes peptides:mannitol:poloxamer 188 at aratio of 1:0:2 to 1:2:2.2 by weight.

Other embodiments of the present invention include the following ratiosby weight:

Peptides Mannitol Poloxamer188 1 5 1.5 1 5 1.6 1 5 1.7 1 5 1.8 1 5 1.9 15 2 1 5 2.1 1 5 2.2 1 6 1.5 1 6 1.6 1 6 1.7 1 6 1.8 1 6 1.9 1 6 2 1 62.1 1 6 2.2 1 7 1.5 1 7 1.6 1 7 1.7 1 7 1.8 1 7 1.9 1 7 2 1 7 2.1 1 72.2 1 7.5 1.5 1 7.5 1.6 1 7.5 1.7 1 7.5 1.8 1 7.5 1.9 1 7.5 2 1 7.5 2.11 7.5 2.2 1 8 1.5 1 8 1.6 1 8 1.7 1 8 1.8 1 8 1.9 1 8 2 1 8 2.1 1 8 2.21 5.5 1.5 1 5.5 1.6 1 5.5 1.7 1 5.5 1.8 1 5.5 1.9 1 5.5 2 1 5.5 2.1 15.5 2.2 1 6.5 1.5 1 6.5 1.6 1 6.5 1.7 1 6.5 1.8 1 6.5 1.9 1 6.5 2 1 6.52.1 1 6.5 2.2 1 0 2 1 0 2.1 1 0 2.2 Preferred for preparation IMA950 1 50.5 1 5 0.6 1 5 0.7 1 5 0.8 1 5 0.9 1 5 1 1 5 1.1 1 5 1.2 1 5 1.3 1 51.4

TWEEN Peptide Mannitol 80 ® 1 2 1.5 1 2 1.6 1 2 1.7 1 2 1.8 1 2 1.9 1 22 1 2 2.1 1 2 2.2 1 3 1.5 1 3 1.6 1 3 1.7 1 3 1.8 1 3 1.9 1 3 2 1 3 2.11 3 2.2 1 4 1.5 1 4 1.6 1 4 1.7 1 4 1.8 1 4 1.9 1 4 2 1 4 2.1 1 4 2.2 15 1.5 1 5 1.6 1 5 1.7 1 5 1.8 1 5 1.9 1 5 2 1 5 2.1 1 5 2.2 1 6 1.5 1 61.6 1 6 1.7 1 6 1.8 1 6 1.9 1 6 2 1 6 2.1 1 6 2.2 1 7 1.5 1 7 1.6 1 71.7 1 7 1.8 1 7 1.9 1 7 2 1 7 2.1 1 7 2.2 1 8 1.5 1 8 1.6 1 8 1.7 1 81.8 1 8 1.9 1 8 2 1 8 2.1 1 8 2.2 1 2.1 1.5 1 2.1 1.6 1 2.1 1.7 1 2.11.8 1 2.1 1.9 1 2.1 2 1 2.1 2.1 1 2.1 2.2

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may belyophilized. The obtained lyophilisate can be reconstituted into ahydrous composition by adding a hydrous solvent. Preferably the hydrouscomposition would be able to be directly administered parenterally to apatient. Therefore, a further embodiment of the present invention is ahydrous pharmaceutical composition of the above disclosed formulations,obtainable through reconstitution of the lyophilisate described abovewith a hydrous solvent.

The acceptable pH-range is pH 2-12 for intravenous and intramuscularadministration, but subcutaneously the range is reduced to 2.7-9.0 asthe rate of in vivo dilution is reduced resulting in more potential forirritation at the injection site. Strickley Robert G., Pharm. Res., 21,NO:2, 201-230 (2004).

Preferably hydrous pharmaceutical composition of the invention have apH-value from 7 to 9, even more preferred a pH-value from 8 to 9 andeven more preferred a pH-value of 8.3 to 8.7.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are physiologicallywell tolerated, easily producible, exactly dosable, and show a excellentshelf stability concerning concentration, decomposition products andaggregates for the storing time. The preparations may be stable storedfor 2 years in a freezer at −20° C., in a refrigerator at (+2-8° C.) andeven at room temperature (+25° C.), 60% relative humidity.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are preferablysterile and formulated for in vivo administration.

The present invention also provides a method of raising an immuneresponse in a subject, said method comprising administering to thesubject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition of the presentinvention, wherein said peptides, variants or salts are administered inan effective amount, preferably an amount effective to raise said immuneresponse. The invention further provides the use of a pharmaceuticalcomposition of the invention in a medicament for the administration to asubject to raise an immune response against cancer. Also included is theuse of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention for thetreatment of cancer, preferably renal cancer, or brain cancer,preferably glioma and more preferably, glioblastoma and the use in themanufacture of a medicament for administration to a subject to raise animmune response against cancer and, thereby, to treat cancer.

Peptides used in the pharmaceutical composition are preferably pure, oressentially pure and, desirably, essentially homogeneous (i.e., freefrom contaminating peptides or proteins, etc.).

“Essentially pure” means a peptide preparation with purity by HPLC of atleast 90%, and preferably at least 95%. An “essentially homogeneous”preparation means a peptide preparation comprising at least 99% of thepeptide, based on total weight of the peptide in the preparation.

The present invention furthermore includes a kit comprising:

(a) a container that contains a pharmaceutical composition as describedabove, in solution or in lyophilized form;(b) optionally, a second container containing a diluent orreconstituting solution for the lyophilized formulation; and(c) optionally, instructions for (i) use of the solution or (ii)reconstitution and/or use of the lyophilized formulation.

The kit may further comprise one or more of (i) a buffer, (ii) adiluent, (iii) a filter, (iv) a needle, or (v) a syringe. The containeris preferably a bottle, a vial, a syringe or test tube; and it may be amulti-use container. The pharmaceutical composition is preferablylyophilized.

Kits of the present invention preferably comprise a lyophilizedformulation of the present invention in a suitable container andinstructions for its reconstitution and/or use. Suitable containersinclude, for example, bottles, vials (e.g. dual chamber vials), syringes(such as dual chamber syringes) and test tubes. The container may beformed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. Preferably,the kit and/or container contains instructions on or associated with thecontainer that indicate directions for reconstitution and/or use. Forexample, the label may indicate that the lyophilized formulation is tobe reconstituted to peptide concentrations as described herein. Thelabel may further indicate that the formulation is useful or intendedfor subcutaneous administration.

The container holding the formulation may be a multi-use vial, whichallows for repeat administrations (e.g., from 2-6 administrations) ofthe reconstituted formulation. The kit may further comprise a secondcontainer comprising a suitable diluent (e.g., sodium bicarbonatesolution).

Upon mixing of the diluent and the lyophilized formulation, the finalpeptide concentration in the reconstituted formulation is preferably atleast 0.15 mg/mL/peptide (=75 μg) and preferably not more than 3mg/mL/peptide (=1500 μg). The kit may further include other materialsdesirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including otherbuffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts withinstructions for use.

Kits of the present invention may have a single container that containsthe formulation of the pharmaceutical compositions according to thepresent invention with or without other components (e.g., othercompounds or pharmaceutical compositions of these other compounds) ormay have a distinct container for each component.

Preferably, kits of the invention include a formulation of the inventionpackaged for use in combination with the co-administration of a secondcompound (such as adjuvants (e.g. GM-CSF, a chemotherapeutic agent, anatural product, a hormone or antagonist, an anti-angiogenesis agent orinhibitor, an apoptosis-inducing agent or a chelator) or apharmaceutical composition thereof. The components of the kit may bepre-complexed or each component may be in a separate distinct containerprior to administration to a patient. The components of the kit may beprovided in one or more liquid solutions, preferably, an aqueoussolution, more preferably, a sterile aqueous solution. The components ofthe kit may also be provided as solids, which may be converted intoliquids by addition of suitable solvents, which are preferably providedin another distinct container.

The container of a therapeutic kit may be a vial, test tube, flask,bottle, syringe, or any other means of enclosing a solid or liquid.Usually, when there is more than one component, the kit will contain asecond vial or other container, which allows for separate dosing. Thekit may also contain another container for a pharmaceutically acceptableliquid. Preferably, a therapeutic kit will contain an apparatus (e.g.,one or more needles, syringes, eye droppers, pipette, etc.), whichenables administration of the agents of the invention that arecomponents of the present kit.

The present formulation is one that is suitable for administration ofthe peptides by any acceptable route such as oral (enteral), nasal,ophthal, subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous ortransdermal. Preferably the administration is s.c., and most preferably,i.d. administration may be by infusion pump.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Stock solutions of each individual peptide were prepared by dissolutionof the peptides in appropriate solvents according to theirsolubilization characteristics (see Table 2). 1.47 mL of the higherconcentrated peptide solutions (peptide 5 to 10) and 7.34 mL of thepeptide solutions 1 to 4 were combined following by addition of 1.47 mL10% acetic acid. The mixture was vortexed for 2 minutes and treated byultrasonic bath for 1 minute. Approximately 1 mL of the resulting clearsolution was transferred into glass vials, followed by addition of 19.2mg mannitol and 50 μL of a TWEEN 80® stock solution (77 mg TWEEN 80®dissolved in 30% acetic acid solution). Within a few minutes thesolution was frozen at −40° C. and lyophilized for 14 hours at 0.06mbar, followed by 6 hours post drying period at 0.003 mbar (see Table3).

TABLE 2 Peptides used for example 1. Peptide SEQ Peptide Amount ID NO:Peptide content (%) [mg] Solvent [ml] 4 IMA-CCN- 95.5 16.65 7.57 (50%HAc) 001 6 IMA-GUC- 88.8 17.72 7.50 (90% HAc) 001 3 IMA-ADF- 91.7 17.357.58 (10% HAc) 001 2 IMA-ADF- 94.0 16.95 7.58 (10% HAc) 002 10 IMA-RGS-89.4 17.66 1.50 (10% HAc) 001 8 IMA-MET- 91.8 17.68 1.55 (50% HAc) 001 9IMA-MUC- 90.6 17.84 1.54 (10% HAc) 001 1 IMA-MMP- 89.6 17.92 1.53 (WFI)001 4 IMA-APO- 92.1 17.76 1.56 (WFI) 001 7 IMA-K67- 92.4 17.22 1.52(WFI) 001

TABLE 3 Lyophilisation parameters for example 1. Treatment Time VacuumTemperature freezing 3:00 atm −40° C. primary drying 0:10 0.06 mbar −39°C. primary drying 3:00 0.06 mbar −20° C. primary drying 10:00  0.06 mbar +0° C. primary drying 6:00 0.06 mbar +20° C. secondary drying 3:000.003 mbar  +20° C. secondary drying 6:00 0.003 mbar  +25° C.

Example 2

A GMP lot was produced containing 2.000 vials with 578 μg per individualpeptide per vial plus mannitol and Poloxamer 188. The formulationincludes the peptides, mannitol and Poloxamer 188 in a ratio of 1:5:2[w:w.w].

Each individual lyophilized peptide was weighed according to the amountslisted in Table 4 into separate glass vessels. After weighing, allpeptides were dissolved in a specified solvent.

TABLE 4 Peptides used for example 2. Peptide Net Peptide Brutto SEQAmount content Amount Solvent ID NO: Peptide [mg] [%] [mg] [ml] 4IMA-CCN-001 1156.00 91.6% 1262.01 550 (50% HAc) 6 IMA-RGS-001 1156.0083.2% 1389.42 110 (10% HAc) 3 IMA-GUC-001 1156.00 92.9% 1244.35 550 (90%HAc) 2 IMA-MET-001 1156.00 92.6% 1248.38 110 (50% HAc) 10 IMA-ADF-0011156.00 93.3% 1239.01 540 (10% HAc) 8 IMA-ADF-002 1156.00 95.5% 1210.47540 (10% HAc) 9 IMA-MUC-001 1156.00 87.2% 1325.69 110 (10% HAc) 1IMA-MMP- 1156.00 88.6% 1304.74 110 (WFI) 001 4 IMA-APO-001 1156.00 95.0%1216.84 110 (WFI) 7 IMA-K67-001 1156.00 88.3% 1309.17 110 (WFI)

Due to the different solubilities of the peptides, they have to bedissolved according to the order provided in Table 4 beginning withpeptide 1. Different amounts and concentrations of acetic acid solutionand water for injection (WFI) were used for dissolving the peptides dueto differences in the solubility of the peptides and with respect to thefinal filling volume of the bulk solution. For improving the solubility,each vial was treated by vigorous agitation for a maximum of fiveminutes and if necessary by sonification for a maximum of five minutes.The amounts and concentrations, to be used, are also shown in Table 4.

Once the peptides have been readily dissolved, the solutions have to bemixed in the order as given in Table 4, beginning with peptide number 1.The solutions are collected into a sterilized glass container. Theindividual peptide vials are rinsed with a solution of 105 ml aceticacid (30%). Finally, this solution is added to the mixture of thepeptide solution and stirred for five minutes.

23.1 g Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68) and 57.8 g mannitol were added to thepeptide mixture and the whole solution was stirred for five minutes.

The bulk solution containing all 10 peptides and the excipients wassterile-filtered through filter with pore size of 0.22 μm. 1.485 ml ofthe solution was filled into sterilized 2R glass vials under sterileconditions and under an inert nitrogen atmosphere, pre-sealed andtransported into the freeze drier for lyophilization. The lyophilizationprocess (see Table 5) includes freezing of the vials at temperature −45°C., a stepwise increase of temperature to +20° C. (Main drying phase)and a final drying step at +25° C. When the drying is complete, thefreeze dryer was brought back to atmospheric pressure using driednitrogen that has been sterile filtered.

TABLE 5 Lyophilisation parameter used for example 2. No. Step time [min]T [° C.] vacuum [mbar] 1 Loading 3 −45 2 Freezing 180 −45 3 Main drying15 −45 1.50E−01 4 Main drying 300 −20 1.50E−01 5 Main drying 480 01.50E−01 6 Main drying 360 20 1.50E−01 7 Main drying 60 20 1.50E−01 8After Drying 15 2 5.00E−03 9 After Drying 180 20 5.00E−03 10 AfterDrying 120 25 5.00E−03 11 After Drying 240 25 5.00E−03 12 pre-aeration 125 8.00E+02 13 Sealing 5 25 8.00E+02 14 Aeration with N₂ 1 25 1.00E+0315 Storage 3 5 1.00E+03

Resolubilization procedure: For clinical trials the above describedformulation is dissolved in 700 μl sodium hydrogen carbonate (4.2%).Remove plastic cap from one vial. Unpack and remove sodium hydrogencarbonate (4.2%) from the refrigerator at least 30 min beforeresolubilization to bring them up to room temperature before injection.Prepare syringe and needle for reconstitution. Use aseptic technique totake 700 μL of diluent for reconstitution of the lyophilisate. Todissolve the lyophilisate, the vial and the diluent shall be shakenvigorously for 1 minute, check whether solution is clear, otherwisecontinue shaking for another minute until the solution is clear. 10 to30 minutes after GM-CSF injection, use a new syringe to administer 500μL reconstituted formulation i.d. at the same site. Administration hasto occur within 1 h after reconstitution. Dissolved lyophilisate may bestored aseptically at room temperature for up to 1 hour followingreconstitution.

Stability testing after reconstitution showed that most of the peptidesremain sufficiently stable after reconstitution. However, a decrease oftwo specific peptides, i.e. IMA-CCN-001 and IMA-RGS-001 took place (seeTable 6). As these peptides contain a cysteine residue, time-dependingdimerization takes place.

TABLE 6 Results on HPLC-assay for in-use stability after reconstitutionwith 4.2% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. Comparison betweenformulation with and without excipients. Peptide Formulation Initial* 1h 2 h 3 h 4 h 5 h 6 h ADF- no excipients 100.0 102.4 102.4 100.0 n.d.n.d. n.d. 001 +mannitol/LUTROL ® 100.0 99.6 99.6 100.7 100.8 99.9 101.8ADF- no excipients 100.0 100.9 100.0 97.2 n.d. n.d. n.d. 002+mannitol/LUTROL ® 100.0 99.9 100.0 101.1 101.2 99.9 101.9 APO- noexcipients 100.0 100.0 97.4 97.4 n.d.. n.d. n.d. 001 +mannitol/LUTROL ®100.0 99.8 99.8 100.7 100.9 99.6 101.5 CCN- no excipients 100.0 82.872.1 63.3 n.d. n.d. n.d 001 +mannitol/LUTROL ® 100.0 95.6 92.2 91.3 89.2 86.1  85.9 GUC- no excipients 100.0 100.0 100.0 98.6 n.d. n.d.n.d. 001 +mannitol/LUTROL ® 100.0 99.7 99.5 100.6 100.8 99.7 101.6 K67-no excipients 100.0 100.8 99.2 97.5 n.d. n.d. n.d. 001+mannitol/LUTROL ® 100.0 99.8 100.4 101.6 101.8 100.6  102.5 MET- noexcipients 100.0 100.0 99.2 96.7 n.d. n.d. n.d. 001 +mannitol/LUTROL ®100.0 99.8 99.8 101.0 101.1 99.8 101.7 MMP- no excipients 100.0 98.697.1 95.7 n.d. n.d. n.d. 001 +mannitol/LUTROL ® 100.0 99.5 99.3 100.2100.4 98.9 100.9 MUC- no excipients 100.0 100.8 99.2 96.6 n.d. n.d. n.d.001 +mannitol/LUTROL ® 100.0 99.8 99.6 100.6 100.6 99.5 101.3 RGS- noexcipients 100.0 90.9 77.8 64.6 n.d. n.d. n.d. 001 +mannitol/LUTROL ®100.0 97.9 95.5 94.2  91.6 88.0  86.8 *Starting value set to 100%. FirstHPLC run after resolubilization.

The influence of different pH values (around pH 8.5) and high capacitycarbonate buffer on the success of peptide immunizations was assessed ina mouse model. Using a standard immunogenic model peptide in differentinjection solutions, the priming efficiency was tested by standard ⁵¹Crrelease assay. Results were confirmed by flow cytometry analysis aftertetramer staining. In summary, there was no significant differencedetectable in priming efficiency between intradermal immunizations at pH7.5, 8.5 (pH of the IMA901 diluent) and pH 9.5.

In addition, the high ionic strength did not reduce the observed immuneresponse compared to isotonic injection buffer. Toxic side effects werenot observed for immunizations with injection solutions at pH 7.5, 8.5,and with the IMA901 diluent, but became evident with the pH 9.5injection solution (local necrotic lesions of the skin at the injectionsite). These results support the suitability of the chosen buffer as theappropriate diluent for IMA901.

Example 3

Stock solutions of each individual peptide were prepared by dissolutionof the peptides in appropriate solvents according to theresolubilization characteristics (see Table 7).

TABLE 7 Peptides used for example 3. Peptide Peptide Amount NO: Peptidepurity (%) [mg] Solvent [ml] 23 IMA-CHI-001 99.7 23.19 11.560 (90% HAc)15 IMA-FABP7- 92.0 25.13 4.624 (90% HAc) 001 17 IMA-MET-005 93.1 24.833.853 (50% HAc) 18 IMA- 90.3 25.60 5.780 (50% HAc) NLGN4X-001 22IMA-TNC-001 94.0 24.60 5.780 (30% HAc) 20 IMA-PTP-003 96.3 24.01 2.890(20% HAc) 12 IMA-BCA-002 97.7 23.66 3.303 (10% HAc) 13 IMA-BIR-002 96.024.08 2.312 (10% HAc) 14 IMA-CSP-001 98.1 23.57 5.780 (10% HAc) 16 IMA-94.6 24.44 2.890 (10% HAc) IGF2BP3-001 19 IMA-NRCAM- 96.0 24.08 2.312(10% HAc) 001 21 IMA-PTP-005 97.0 23.84 2.312 (10% HAc) 11 IMA-HBV-00199.0 23.35 4.624 (WFI) —/— Rinsing volume —/— —/— 1.800 (30% HAc) —/—Fill up volume —/— —/— 0.180 (WFI)

Due to the different solubilities of the peptides, they have to bedissolved according to the order provided in Table 4 beginning withpeptide 1. Different amounts and concentrations of acetic acid solutionand water for injection (WFI) were used for dissolving the peptides dueto differences in the solubility of the peptides and with respect to thefinal filling volume of the bulk solution. For improving the solubility,each vial was treated by vigorous agitation for a maximum of fiveminutes and if necessary by sonification for a maximum of five minutes.The amounts and concentrations, to be used, are also shown in Table 7.

Once the peptides have been readily dissolved, the solutions have to bemixed in the order as given in Table 7, starting with peptide number 1.The solutions are collected into a glass container equipped with astirring bar. Finally, this solution is added to the mixture of thepeptide solution and stirred at least for five minutes.

601.1 mg Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68®) and 1502.8 mg Mannitol were addedto the peptide mixture and the whole solution was stirred for fiveminutes.

The bulk solution containing all 13 peptides and the excipients wassterile-filtered through filter with pore size of 0.22 μm. 1.500 ml ofthe solution was filled into 2R glass vials, pre-sealed and transportedinto the freeze drier for lyophilization. The lyophilization process(see Table 8) includes freezing of the vials at temperature −45° C., astepwise increase of temperature to +20° C. (Main drying phase) and afinal drying step at +25° C. When the drying is complete, the freezedryer was brought back to atmospheric pressure using nitrogen.

TABLE 8 Lyophilisation parameters used for example 3. No. Step time[min] T [° C.] vacuum [mbar] 1 Loading 5 −45 2 primary drying 10 −450.50E−01 3 primary drying 360 −20 0.50E−01 4 primary drying 480 00.50E−01 5 primary drying 360 20 0.50E−01 6 primary drying 60 200.50E−01 7 secondary drying 15 20 5.00E−03 8 secondary drying 180 205.00E−03 9 secondary drying 120 25 5.00E−03 10 secondary drying 240 255.00E−03 11 Aeration with N₂ 1 25 1.00E+03 12 Sealing 5 25 1.00E+03

Resolubilization Procedure:

For clinical trials the above described formulation is dissolved in 700μl sodium hydrogen carbonate (4.2%). To dissolve the lyophilisate, thevial and the diluent shall be shaken vigorously for 1 minute, checkwhether solution is clear, otherwise continue shaking for another minuteuntil the solution is clear. Administration of 500 μL of the solutionhas to occur within 1 h after reconstitution. Dissolved lyophilisate maybe stored aseptically at room temperature for up to 1 hour followingreconstitution.

Stability testing after reconstitution showed that most of the peptidesremained sufficiently stable after reconstitution (see Table 9).

TABLE 9 Results on HPLC-assay for in-use stability after reconstitutionwith 4.2% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. Comparison betweenformulation with and without excipients. Initial 2 h 4 h 6 h PeptidePeptide Peptide Peptide Peptide [%] [%] [%] [%] NRCAM-001 +Mannitol/100.0 99.9 100.0 99.5 LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 99.8 100.2 95.6BIR-002 +Mannitol/ 100.0 100.8 101.2 100.9 LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0100.6 101.4 96.2 CSP-001 +Mannitol/ 100.0 100.0 100.1 99.6 LUTROL ® noexcipients 100.0 99.2 99.7 95.0 PTP-003 +Mannitol/ 100.0 100.3 100.5100.1 LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 100.4 100.9 96.1 IGF2BP3- +Mannitol/100.0 100.4 100.6 100.7 001 LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 100.0 101.296.0 PTP-005 +Mannitol/ 100.0 100.1 100.3 99.8 LUTROL ® no excipients100.0 99.9 100.4 95.8 TNC-001 +Mannitol/ 100.0 100.5 100.6 100.2LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 100.0 100.4 95.7 MET-005 +Mannitol/ 100.0100.5 100.7 100.4 LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 100.3 100.7 96.0FABP7-001 +Mannitol/ 100.0 100.9 100.7 100.6 LUTROL ® no excipients100.0 100.5 100.9 96.3 NLGN4X- +Mannitol/ 100.0 100.8 100.9 100.5 001LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 99.9 100.5 95.7 HBV-001 +Mannitol/ 100.0100.3 100.6 100.3 LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 100.2 100.6 95.8 CHI-001+Mannitol/ 100.0 100.0 100.7 100.2 LUTROL ® no excipients 100.0 102.2101.3 90.6 BCA-002 +Mannitol/ 100.0 99.8 99.6 98.9 LUTROL ® noexcipients 100.0 99.9 100.1 95.4

Example 4

Stock solutions of each individual peptide were prepared by dissolutionof the peptides in appropriate solvents according to theresolubilization characteristics (see Table 10).

TABLE 10 Peptides used for example 4. Peptide SEQ ID Peptide Amount NO:Peptide purity (%) [mg] Solvent [ml] 23 IMA-FABP7- 92.0 28.27 4.335 (90%HAc) 001 15 IMA-MET- 94.0 27.67 4.335 (50% HAc) 005 17 IMA- 91.0 28.586.503 (50% HAc) NLGN4X- 001 18 IMA-TNC- 94.0 27.67 3.251 (50% HAc) 00122 IMA-PTP- 97.0 26.81 3.251 (20% HAc) 003 20 IMA-BCA- 98.0 26.54 3.251(10% HAc) 002 12 IMA-BIR- 96.0 27.09 3.251 (10% HAc) 002 13 IMA-CSP-91.0 28.58 5.202 (10% HAc) 001 14 IMA- 95.0 27.38 5.202 (10% HAc)IGF2BP3-001 16 IMA- 96.0 26.54 3.251 (10% HAc) NRCAM-001 19 IMA-PTP-97.0 26.81 3.251 (10% HAc) 005 21 IMA-HBV- 99.0 26.27 5.202 (WFI) 001—/— Rinsing —/— —/— 3.375 (30% HAc) volume —/— Fill up —/— —/— 13.839(WFI) volume

Due to the different solubilities of the peptides, they have to bedissolved according to the order provided in Table 4 beginning withpeptide 1. Different amounts and concentrations of acetic acid solutionand water for injection (WFI) were used for dissolving the peptides dueto differences in the solubility of the peptides and with respect to thefinal filling volume of the bulk solution. For improving the solubility,each vial was treated by vigorous agitation for a maximum of fiveminutes and if necessary by sonification for a maximum of five minutes.The amounts and concentrations, to be used, are also shown in Table 10.

Once the peptides had been readily dissolved, the solutions have to bemixed in the order as given in Table 10 beginning with peptide SEQ IDNO:23. The solutions are collected into a glass container equipped witha stirring bar. Finally, this solution is added to the mixture of thepeptide solution and stirred at least for five minutes.

624.2 mg Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68®) and 1560.6 mg Mannitol were addedto the peptide mixture and the whole solution was stirred for fiveminutes.

The bulk solution containing all 12 peptides and the excipients wassterile-filtered through filter with pore size of 0.22 μm. 1.500 ml ofthe solution was filled into 2R glass vials, pre-sealed and transportedinto the freeze drier for lyophilization. The lyophilization process(see Table 11) includes freezing of the vials at temperature −45° C., astepwise increase of temperature to +20° C. (Main drying phase) and afinal drying step at +25° C. When the trying is complete, the freezedryer was brought back to atmospheric pressure using dried nitrogen.

TABLE 11 Lyophilisation parameter used for example 4. No. Step time[min] T [° C.] vacuum [mbar] 1 Loading 5 −45 2 primary drying 10 −450.50E−01 3 primary drying 360 −20 0.50E−01 4 primary drying 480 00.50E−01 5 primary drying 360 20 0.50E−01 6 primary drying 60 200.50E−01 7 secondary drying 15 20 5.00E−03 8 secondary drying 180 205.00E−03 9 secondary drying 120 25 5.00E−03 10 secondary drying 240 255.00E−03 11 Aeration with N₂ 1 25 1.00E+03 12 Sealing 5 25 1.00E+03

Stability testing at different temperatures showed that all of thepeptides are sufficiently stable even at stressed (+25° C.) conditions(see Table 12).

TABLE 12 Results on HPLC-assay for stability of peptides in formulationat +25° C. +/− 2° C. for 3 months. INITIAL 1M [% 2M Peptide [%] ofInitial] [% of Initial] 3M [% of Initial] NRCAM-001 100.0 97.90 96.7397.59 BIR-002 100.0 97.49 96.24 98.93 CSP-001 100.0 98.04 96.99 98.71PTP-003 100.0 98.29 97.11 98.29 IGF2BP3-001 100.0 98.01 96.77 97.34PTP-005 100.0 98.16 97.10 98.30 TNC-001 100.0 97.86 96.80 97.21 MET-005100.0 97.49 96.13 97.21 FABP7-001 100.0 98.43 97.71 98.67 NLGN4X-001100.0 97.90 96.30 96.41 HBV-001 100.0 97.83 96.47 97.50 BCA-002 100.098.20 97.05 97.88

TABLE 13 Results on HPLC-assay for stability of peptides in formulationat +5° C. +/− 3° C. for 3 months. INITIAL 1M 2M 3M Peptide [%] [% ofInitial] [% of Initial] [% of Initial] NRCAM-001 100.0 99.13 98.17 98.79BIR-002 100.0 98.53 97.28 100.01 CSP-001 100.0 98.99 98.05 99.81 PTP-003100.0 99.07 97.95 98.68 IGF2BP3-001 100.0 99.00 97.92 98.57 PTP-005100.0 98.93 97.79 98.67 TNC-001 100.0 99.02 98.10 98.72 MET-005 100.099.06 97.92 98.59 FABP7-001 100.0 99.08 98.15 98.66 NLGN4X-001 100.099.12 98.24 98.84 HBV-001 100.0 98.87 97.76 98.47 BCA-002 100.0 99.1398.04 98.73

TABLE 14 Results on HPLC-assay for stability of peptides in formulationat −20° C. +/− 5° C. for 3 months. INITIAL 1M 2M 3M Peptide [%] [% ofInitial] [% of Initial] [% of Initial] NRCAM-001 100.0 99.23 97.86 98.91BIR-002 100.0 98.43 96.98 100.14 CSP-001 100.0 98.99 97.61 99.61 PTP-003100.0 99.11 97.48 98.57 IGF2BP3-001 100.0 99.10 97.54 98.42 PTP-005100.0 98.99 97.41 98.34 TNC-001 100.0 99.01 97.61 98.57 MET-005 100.099.14 97.54 99.00 FABP7-001 100.0 99.09 97.60 98.39 NLGN4X-001 100.099.05 97.60 98.62 HBV-001 100.0 98.93 97.39 98.34 BCA-002 100.0 99.1797.61 98.61

Example 5 Analytical Test Procedure

Identity, purity and peptide content are determined by analyticalRP-HPLC chromatography. Detection wavelength was 220 nm.

Testing of Stability (Stability of Test Formulations):

a) Renal Cell Cancer Vaccine:

Various lyophilisates were tested with respect to stability of eachindividual peptide at +25° C. and ±40° C. using an analytical HPLCassay. Stress tests at ±25° C. and ±40° C. were performed to determinetrends as to which formulation is more stable at ambient and highertemperatures.

The peptides according to the SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 10 were lyophilisedwithout any excipients and by addition of mannitol and Poloxamer 188(LUTROL F68®) or TWEEN 80®.

The following test formulations were produced and stability wereassessed at +25° C. and +40° C. by analytical HPLC assay:

Formulation 1: Peptides without any excipients;Formulation 2: Peptides:mannitol:LUTROL F68® (Poloxamer 188) (1:5:2 byweight);Formulation 3: Peptides:mannitol:TWEEN 80® (1:5:2 by weight); andFormulation 4: Peptides:mannitol:TWEEN 80® (1:5:1 by weight).

Initial HPLC measurements have been performed for each formulationbefore storage in a climate chamber. For this purpose, the content oftwo vials was completely dissolved in 30% acetic acid and measured byRP-HPLC by repeat determination. To assure comparability between theindividual measurements, B-Naphtyl-alanine was used as internal standardand lyophilized together with the peptides.

After 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, another two vials were removed from theclimate chamber to assess stability.

Data assessment was performed by repeat determination of one vial. Forone time point and temperature, two independent vials were used toobtain four data points in total. These values have been taken tocalculate the standard deviation shown as error bars in the relevantdiagram.

As a result of the experiments, the stability of each individual peptideof the formulation with mannitol and LUTROL F68® is comparable with theresults obtained by the formulation without any excipients. Formulationscontaining TWEEN 80® show enhanced degradation of IMA-RGS-001 especiallyat +40° C. and an increase of the signal, especially for peptideIMA-ADF-001. This increase could be due to co-eluation of impuritiescaused by degradation of the peptides.

b) Glioblastoma Cell Cancer Vaccine:

Various lyophilisates were tested with respect to solubility andstability of the formulated peptides in the mixture.

The peptides according to the SEQ ID NOs: 11 to 23 were lyophilizedwithout any excipients and with the addition of Mannitol/Poloxamer 188(LUTROL F68®) and Mannitol/TWEEN 80®.

The following test formulations were produced, and their solubilities indifferent solutions and the stabilities at +25° C. and +40° C. weretested.

Formulation 1: Peptides without any excipients;Formulation 2: Peptides:mannitol:LUTROL F68® (Poloxamer 188) (1:5:2 byweight);Formulation 3: Peptides:mannitol:TWEEN 80® (1:5:2 by weight)

The stability of both formulations was equally good. The solubility wasbest using formulation two which gave a clear and colorless mixture,while formulation three in some instances exhibited a slightprecipitation at higher concentrations. Using formulation one, nodissolution was possible at all.

As a result of the experiments, the stability of each individual peptideof the formulation with mannitol/LUTROL F68® and mannitol/TWEEN 80® iscomparable with the results obtained by the formulation without anyexcipients. Without any excipient the formulation is not soluble insuitable solutions e.g. sodium hydrogen carbonate (4.2%).

Example 6 Calculation of Potency for preparation IMA901

Effect of excipients Poloxamer 188 and mannitol on T-cell primingefficiency was tested. Non-active excipients in the IMA901 formulationare Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68®) and mannitol. These two excipients werenot contained in the IMA901 formulation in the phase 1 trial and wereincluded in the phase 2 trial formulation to enhance solubility andin-use stability of IMA901. In this study, the influence of thesesubstances on T-cell priming efficiency in a mouse model was testedafter peptide immunization with a murine model peptide. No toxic effectsof Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68®) and mannitol were observed. T-cellpriming was analyzed by tetramer staining and flow cytometry ex vivonine days after immunization. The addition of Poloxamer® (LUTROLF68®)/mannitol to the immunization solution does not alter CD8⁺ T cellpriming efficiency.

Principle of Test

Immunization: For the priming of naïve CD8⁺ T cells, the immunogenicH2-K^(b) binding peptide Ova₂₅₇₋₂₆₄ (SIINFEKL) in combination with anadjuvant commonly used in mouse immunization (CpG deoxyoligonucleotide)in 4.2% bicarbonic buffer was injected intradermally into 8-12 weeks oldfemale mice (strain C57BL/6, H2^(b), 3 mice per group). Injectionsolutions with and without Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68® (16.5 mg/ml)) andmannitol (41.3 mg/ml) were compared. The concentrations of theexcipients are the same as planned for the IMA901 injection solution.Positive controls were immunized subcutaneously with peptide solutioncontaining CpG emulsified in TITERMAX® classic (Sigma-Aldrich).

Tetramer staining: After 9 days, mice were sacrificed andOva₂₅₇₋₂₆₄-specific T cells in the spleen were analyzed ex vivo withtetramer staining and flow cytometry. The tetramer technology allowsspecific and sensitive detection of T-cells bearing the compatibleT-cell receptor.

Results: No toxic effects of Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68 BASF,Ludwigshafen, Germany)/mannitol were observed locally at the injectionsites or systemically. Positive control group, CpG group, andCpG/Poloxamer 188/mannitol group showed significantly higher frequenciesof peptide-specific T-cells compared to the negative controls (p<0.05).There was no significant difference between the CpG only and theCpG/Poloxamer 188/mannitol group.

The possibility of artificially observed positive populations wasexcluded by tetramer-staining of the proliferated peptide-specific cellsafter five days in vitro stimulation with peptide (data not shown).

In conclusion, the presence of Poloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68®)/mannitol inthe immunization cocktail does not alter peptide-triggered immuneresponses in mice, and therefore, adverse or unfavorable influences ofPoloxamer 188 (LUTROL F68®) and mannitol on the efficacy and safety ofpeptide-based immunotherapeutics in general are not expected.

Materials and Methods

Peptides used for the manufacturing of the different formulations havebeen synthesized and supplied by Bachem AG, Switzerland.

1. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising: at least 2 peptides; whereineach peptide has a length of between 8 and 22 amino acids; wherein saidpeptides show a solubility in 90% acetic acid of at least 2.7 mg/mL;mannitol and poloxamer 188, wherein the ratio by weight of saidpeptide(s) to mannitol to poloxamer 188 is in the range including andbetween 1:5:1.5 to 1:8:2.2. or between 1:0:2 to 1:0:2.2; or mannitol andTWEEN 80®, wherein the ratio by weight of peptides to mannitol to TWEEN80® is in the range including and between 1:2:1.5 to 1:8:2.2.
 2. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein said ratio byweight of peptides to mannitol to poloxamer 188 is in the rangeincluding and between 1:0:2 to 1:0:2.2.
 3. The pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 1, comprising at least two peptides,wherein said peptides comprise an amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12 toSEQ ID NO: 23; provided that the composition comprises at least onepeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ IDNO: 13 or a variant or salt thereof; and further comprising mannitol andpoloxamer 188, wherein the ratio by weight of peptides to mannitol topoloxamer 188 ranges is in the range including between 1:5:1.5 to1:8:2.2.
 4. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 3, whereinthe ratio by weight of peptides to mannitol to poloxamer 188 is in therange including and between 1:0:2 to 1:0:2.2.
 5. The pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 1, comprising at least two peptides,wherein said peptides comprise an amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12 toSEQ ID NO: 23; provided that the composition comprises at least onepeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ IDNO: 13 or a variant or salt thereof further comprising mannitol andTween 80®, wherein the ratio by weight of peptides to mannitol to Tween80® is in the range including and between 1:2:1.5 to 1:8:2.2.
 6. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein said peptideshave an overall length of between 9 and 16 amino acids.
 7. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, wherein at least one ofsaid peptides includes non-peptide bonds.
 8. The pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim 1, wherein said composition comprisespeptides consisting of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 and further comprises at least one peptideconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:3 to SEQ ID NO:
 10. 9. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim1, wherein said composition comprises peptides consisting of the aminoacid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12 and/or SEQ ID NO: 13 andfurther comprises at least one peptide consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 14 to SEQ ID NO:
 23. 10. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, further comprising apeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11,provided that said peptide is not the respective full-length Hepatitis Bvirus antigen polypeptide.
 11. The pharmaceutical composition accordingto claim 1, wherein the amounts of the peptides present in thecomposition are tissue, cancer, and/or patient-specific.
 12. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, further comprising atleast one suitable adjuvant.
 13. Use of the pharmaceutical compositionaccording to claim 1 as an anti-cancer vaccine.
 14. A kit comprising:(a) a container containing a pharmaceutical composition according toclaim 1, in solution or in lyophilized form; (b) optionally, a secondcontainer containing a diluent or reconstituting solution for saidlyophilized formulation and/or at least one adjuvant; and (c)optionally, instructions for (i) use of the solution, or (ii)reconstitution, and/or use of said lyophilized formulation.
 15. The kitaccording to claim 14, further comprising one or more of (i) a buffer,(ii) a diluent, (iii) a filter, (iv) a needle, and (v) a syringe.